Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the health sector following high-level talks between Afghan Deputy Minister of Public Health Mawlavi Hamdullah Zahid and his Uzbek counterpart Abdullah Azizov during an official visit to Tashkent.

According to a statement issued by Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health, the meeting focused on expanding collaboration in key areas including pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, healthcare products, and food safety, reflecting the two neighboring countries' efforts to deepen practical cooperation in public health.

During the discussions, both sides emphasized the importance of sharing expertise, transferring technical knowledge, strengthening institutional capacities, and promoting joint commercial partnerships aimed at improving healthcare services and expanding medical industry cooperation.

The officials also explored ways to facilitate closer coordination between health institutions, enhance professional training opportunities, and encourage investment in pharmaceutical production and medical technologies. They stressed that greater collaboration would contribute to improving healthcare systems in both countries while supporting regional health security.

The meeting forms part of broader efforts by Kabul and Tashkent to expand bilateral ties across multiple sectors. In recent years, Uzbekistan has emerged as one of Afghanistan's key regional partners, with cooperation extending beyond healthcare to include trade, energy, transportation, education, and infrastructure development.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regular dialogue and implementing practical initiatives aimed at strengthening public health cooperation and fostering mutually beneficial economic partnerships in the medical sector. (ILKHA)