KABUL (Pajhwok): The UN health agency chief has urged the world to help Afghans avert a brewing humanitarian disaster in their country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) chief issued the call after his meeting with the Taliban health Minister in Geneva.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he met Qalander Ibad, who is part of the Taliban delegation, currently on a visit to Switzerland’s capital.
In a statement, the WHO head said the health situation in the war-hit country was still dire and the humanitarian crisis continued to put lives at risk.
The Taliban team is currently in Geneva for a week of negotiations with Swiss officials and NGO representatives on humanitarian access and human rights.
Tedros said he discussed with the Afghan minister health needs in the country, strengthening the system and emergency preparedness.
He also underlined the need for training the health workforce, saying women were central to the force.
The WHO head added: “The acute need in Afghanistan is to deliver diagnostics to detect the Covid-19 virus, as the number of cases is on the rise.”
PAN Monitor/mud
