New delhi: Indian authorities announced on Monday that India and Afghanistan engaged in comprehensive discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation in the health sector. According to Kuwait News Agency, the Afghan Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, visited India from December 16 to 21 and held a bilateral meeting with the Indian Minister of Health and Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda. The discussions focused on exploring avenues for collaboration in the health sector. India reiterated its dedication to providing humanitarian assistance and healthcare support, highlighting plans for a long-term supply of medicines. In a demonstration of support, India handed over cancer medicines and vaccines to Afghanistan, symbolizing its ongoing commitment to addressing the medical needs of the Afghan people. Additionally, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced plans to send a larger shipment of medicines, vaccines, and a 128-slice CT scanner to bolster Afghanistan's healthcare infrastructur e. The Afghan minister also conferred with the Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, to deliberate on current healthcare-related development projects. Discussions included the creation of a Joint Working Group on Health, the establishment of cancer treatment facilities in Afghanistan, and the dispatch of a medical team to Afghanistan for capacity-building initiatives targeting Afghan doctors. During a meeting with the Minister of State at the Ministry of Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, the Afghan Health Minister explored prospects for knowledge exchange and collaboration in education, research, and regulation of traditional medicines, aiming to fortify Afghanistan's healthcare system. The Afghan delegation's itinerary also included visits to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi and other hospitals. Meetings were held with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, and Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation Limited, f urthering the dialogue on healthcare cooperation. Interactive business sessions were conducted with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India, seeking to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
