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.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both...
Afghanistan has been ranked last among 194 countries in the KidsRights Index 2026, as the Dutch-based foundation warned that children’s rights are f...
Days after Beijing imposed fresh restrictions on 56 U.S. companies, China's Ministry of Commerce said it remained committed to pursuing tariff cuts an...
Keiko Fujimori has emerged ahead in Peru's presidential run-off after electoral authorities completed the final vote count, bringing weeks of uncertai...
The wife and children of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo were among around 1,700 people who died when two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela last ...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has met Norway’s newly appointed special envoy for Afghanistan, Bjørn Hansen, to discuss political and regional issues, the Foreign Ministry said.
Representatives from the diplomatic community, the United Nations and international organisations gathered in Kabul on Wednesday ahead of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), set to take place in Baku from 17 to 22 May.
Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation remained severe throughout 2025, with millions still struggling to meet basic needs, according to a new report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Fourteen people were killed on Sunday after a helicopter belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco crashed in Ras Tanura, according to Saudi state media.
Rescue teams raced on Sunday to find more survivors of the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela this week, with signs of life bringing occasional relief to a grim quest to whittle down a list of tens of thousands missing.
Eleven people were killed when a small plane carrying skydivers crashed near Nancy in eastern France on Sunday, local officials said.
The United States and Iran have agreed to halt strikes against each other, in a potential breakthrough after weeks of escalating tensions. The two sides are expected to meet in Doha on Tuesday to address their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the country is going through a “difficult period”, but has learned much from it, according to state news agency TASS.
Afghanistan has been ranked last among 194 countries in the KidsRights Index 2026, as the Dutch-based foundation warned that children’s rights are facing growing pressure worldwide.
Europe's growing dependence on Azerbaijan for energy and transport is reshaping relations with Baku, even as political tensions with parts of the European Union remain unresolved.
The U.S. and Iran have agreed to 'stand down' and resume technical talks, allowing vessels allowed to move freely under the interim peace deal, a U.S. official said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a phone call on Monday to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments and wider global issues, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
With its EU accession talks frozen and its strategic partnership with Washington suspended, Tbilisi has formalised a new alliance with Astana centred on trade, transport and a shared vision for Eurasia's next major trade corridor.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment