A delegation from Uzbekistan's Ministry of Health, led by Asilbek Khudayarov, visited Mazar-i-Sharif and held meetings with Afghan officials, including Afghanistan's Minister of Health Mawlawi Noor Jalal, Balkh Governor Muhammad Yusuf Wafa, and other dignitaries.

The Afghan side emphasized that close bilateral ties should serve as a foundation for expanding humanitarian cooperation, especially in healthcare. With many regions of Afghanistan lacking hospitals and a rising number of cancer patients, Afghan representatives requested assistance in building a clinic in Mazar-i-Sharif, training specialists, simplifying medical visa issuance, and supplying medicines.

During the visit, the parties agreed to: establish a working group to explore ways to assist Afghan medical facilities; organize a visit of an Afghan delegation to Uzbekistan; annually send up to 100 Afghan specialists for advanced training in Uzbek medical centers; consider quotas for granting up to 50 Afghan students scholarships to study at Uzbek universities; simplify medical visa procedures for critically ill patients; and build a hospital in Mazar-i-Sharif on a public-private partnership basis with Arman Group. Afghanistan will provide investment and infrastructure, while Uzbekistan will supply qualified personnel.

The Governor of Balkh noted that Uzbekistan has consistently supported the Afghan people during difficult times, including natural disasters. In turn, the Afghan side highly appreciated Tashkent's role in organizing the upcoming visit of the World Health Organization's director to Afghanistan.

Earlier, the countries agreed to expand supplies of Uzbek pharmaceuticals and increase bilateral trade to $500 million.

Source: podrobno.uz