Noorjalal Jalali, the Acting Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan’s caretaker government, has recently stated that 95 percent of the population cannot afford the cost of their medical treatment.
Mr. Jalali made these remarks during his visit to New Delhi, saying that if treatment is not made available in public hospitals, “people will die in pain and suffering.”
During the trip, he acknowledged the widespread and deep poverty in Afghanistan and emphasized that Afghans consider India their “brother in difficult times.”
Speaking at a meeting at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi, he said: “I can say that India has shown us more affection than we could have imagined.”
Mr. Jalali further added: “Afghans believe that India is their brother in times of hardship. Previously, about 70 percent of Afghanistan’s required medicines were supplied from Pakistan, but relations with Pakistan have now deteriorated.”
The Acting Minister of Public Health also noted in part of his remarks that the quality of medicines available in the Afghan market is low.
In strong statements, he stressed: “Those who counterfeit medicines and food should be executed.”
The Health Minister called on Indian pharmaceutical companies to make both short-term and long-term investments in the Afghan market. He said India could meet Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical needs and, in the future, establish drug manufacturing factories in the country.
He also urged India to build a well-equipped hospital in Afghanistan.
Addressing participants at the meeting, Mr. Jalali said: “The Afghan market is at your service. Regardless of income and profit, Afghans are your brothers. Afghans have good memories of India.”
He added: “It would be very good if you send high-quality and affordable medicines to your brothers.”
This is the third senior official of the current government to have visited New Delhi in recent months. The purpose of the visit has been described as facilitating the import of medicines from India.
