20 July 2025, Cairo, Egypt – In her visit to Afghanistan from 29 June to 1 July 2025, WHO Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy focused on polio eradication efforts, substance use treatment and other priority areas.
Dr Balkhy met with national leaders and partners, including UN representatives and diplomats. In her meeting with the Minister of Public Health H.E. Noor Jalal Jalali, Dr Balkhy discussed progress on polio eradication and the challenges facing the Polio Programme, and the 3 flagship initiatives, with a focus on strengthening Afghanistan’s national regulatory authority, building the capacity of laboratory personnel and establishing a national dialogue on substance use.
Dr Balkhy offered WHO support in developing a national rehabilitation and reintegration plan and expressed WHO’s keenness to collaborate with the Ministry of Public Health on a national health policy addressing key issues such as One Health, substance use and road traffic accidents.
Dr Balkhy also met with representatives from the embassies of Pakistan, Indonesia and Türkiye, the World Bank, the European Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to discuss the Polio Programme and request support for Programme activities and other health priorities.
An estimated 4 million people suffer from substance use disorders in Afghanistan. Visiting the 100-bed Female and Children Drug Addiction Treatment Centre in Kabul, Dr Balkhy praised the strength and resilience of women receiving treatment and stressed that everyone deserves a chance to heal.
In a meeting with Ms Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Dr Balkhy explored ways to address Afghanistan’s pressing health priorities, including support for returnees and bridging funding gaps.
She also met the Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan HE Zhao Xing, and with UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Kabul Ms Indrika Ratwatte.
In all her meetings, Dr Balkhy highlighted the importance of working together to improve the well-being of the Afghan people, the urgent need for collaboration and solidarity in addressing Afghanistan’s growing health needs, and for collective action to build a healthier, more resilient future for all Afghanis.
Selected photos from the mission
Dr Hanan Balkhy met HE Zhao Xing Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan 
Dr Hanan Balkhy with Acting Minister of Public Health Noor Jalal Jalali
Dr Hanan Balkhy visited the Drug Addiction and Treatment Center in Kabul
Dr Hanan Balkhy meeting with Ms Roza Otunbayeva, special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNAMA
