Afghanistan and Kazakhstan are set to strengthen their relationship as Kabul presses for enhanced health-sector cooperation as part of a broader bilateral push which includes infrastructure, trade and humanitarian aid ties.
Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali, met with Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Kabul, Gaziz Akbasov on Thursday (21 August) in the Afghan capital, and discussed key topics such as healthcare worker training, extending services to remote areas, supplying medical equipment, and exchanging expertise in controlling communicable diseases.
The Minister emphasised that Afghanistan is building general hospitals in 318 districts “to reduce the deaths of mothers and children and to provide standard and equal health services to all citizens”, according to the Ministry’s press release. He urged Kazakhstan to supply equipment for new health centres or invest in hospital construction, particularly in northern provinces.
Ambassador Akbasov acknowledged Afghanistan as a “friendly country” and confirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to continue health-sector cooperation, committing to training Afghan health professionals and dispatching technical teams.
This health-sector initiative fits within a wider pattern of growing ties. Earlier this year, Kazakhstan pledged increased humanitarian support, improvements in Afghan access to medical services, doubled scholarships for Afghan students, and expanded food security efforts. Kazakhstan also announced plans to expand trade, boosting exports of agricultural, industrial goods, and fuels, and to invest in the Turghundi–Herat railway to enhance regional connectivity.
Reports confirm Kazakhstan’s aim to raise bilateral trade to U.S. $ 3 billion annually by deepening transport, agriculture, and digital infrastructure cooperation. Additional transportation talks include establishing direct flights between Kabul and Astana and formalising international road transport agreements.
Previously, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu visited Kabul in July to discuss the Trans‑Afghan railway and infrastructure cooperation.
Kazakhstan’s humanitarian support extends to food aid, medical supply deliveries, and educational access programmes. This aligns with their ongoing advocacy for regional stability and development goals, such as support for a United Nations Regional Centre for Sustainable Development in Almaty, envisioned to serve Central Asia and Afghanistan.
The health meeting underscores a critical need as Afghanistan remains one of the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates in Asia. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure and partnerships is vital say authorities. Analysts argue that Kazakhstan’s support could yield lasting benefits amid dwindling international aid.
Türkiye has banned children under 15 from using social media under new regulations published on Saturday. ...
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed surprise after Donald Trump mediated the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in 2025, the U.S. President ...
The United Nations has condemned a sharp rise in attacks on civilians in Ukraine, reporting that more than 100 people were killed and at least 429 ...
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2026 will be announced on Friday, 9 October, bringing one of the world's most closely watched awards back into focus.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday (9 October) escalating tensions with European allies and potentially targeting companies that provide services to the tribunal. The move came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
European Union measures suspending import duties on 80 per cent of Armenian exports to the bloc came into effect on Saturday. The temporary liberalisation measures are aimed at supporting Armenian producers and exporters following trade restrictions imposed on the country's products by Russia.
Georgia is enjoying one of its biggest and highest-quality grape harvests since independence. By 6 October, growers in the country's main wine-producing region, Kakheti, had delivered 182,210 tonnes of grapes, with 99 per cent rated medium or high quality, despite recent protests over prices.
Uzbekistan has unveiled plans to deepen economic ties with Central Asia and Azerbaijan, proposing shared artificial intelligence infrastructure, a critical minerals alliance and a regional trade strategy extending to 2035.
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
Saudi Arabia has restored its vital East-West oil pipeline to near-full capacity, but escalating Houthi attacks on energy facilities, airports and transport infrastructure are raising fresh concerns over the security of its oil exports.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment