Uzbekistan, Afghanistan Expand Healthcare Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A delegation led by Uzbekistan’s Health Minister Asilbek Khudayarov held talks in Mazar-i-Sharif with Afghan health authorities on expanding cooperation in the medical sector and implementing joint humanitarian projects.

The meeting was attended by Afghanistan’s Health Minister Mawlawi Noor Jalal, Balkh Province Governor Mohammad Yusuf Wafa, and other local officials. The Afghan side noted that good-neighborly relations between the two countries provide a solid foundation for strengthening humanitarian cooperation, particularly in healthcare.

During the discussions, Afghan representatives highlighted shortages of medical infrastructure in several regions and a rising number of patients with oncological diseases.

They requested Uzbekistan’s support in exploring the construction of a hospital in Mazar-i-Sharif, training medical personnel, simplifying procedures for obtaining medical visas for Afghan citizens seeking treatment in Uzbekistan, and facilitating the import of pharmaceuticals.

The governor of Balkh Province also emphasized Uzbekistan’s support during difficult periods, including natural disasters and floods, and highlighted the role of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in strengthening humanitarian engagement. He also welcomed the initiative to potentially organize a visit by a representative of the World Health Organization to Afghanistan.

A representative of Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical regulator noted strong demand for Uzbek pharmaceutical products and proposed simplifying their registration procedures in the Afghan market.

As part of the visit, the Uzbek delegation toured medical facilities in Mazar-i-Sharif, including the Dehdadi district polyclinic and the Abu Ali Ibn Sino Central Hospital, and held meetings with medical staff.

Following the talks, the parties agreed to establish a joint working group to assess healthcare projects and prepare proposals to support Afghan medical institutions. They also agreed to organize a visit by an Afghan delegation to Uzbekistan.

Among the agreements reached are annual advanced training for up to 100 Afghan medical specialists in Uzbekistan’s medical centers and the allocation of up to 50 grant-funded places for Afghan students in the country’s medical universities.

The sides also plan to work on simplifying medical visa procedures for Afghan patients requiring treatment.

A separate focus will be the implementation of a hospital construction project in Mazar-i-Sharif based on a public-private partnership with the participation of Arman Group. Under the arrangement, the Afghan side will provide investment and infrastructure, while Uzbekistan will contribute through the training of medical personnel.

Both sides noted that the agreements reached could form the basis for a new phase of bilateral cooperation in healthcare.