The United Nations and Taliban officials have emphasized the need to strengthen tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment services in Afghanistan, according to a statement from the country’s health authorities.

Taliban Health Minister Noor Jalal Jalali met with Edwin Ceniza Salvador, the World Health Organization’s representative in Afghanistan, along with TB officials from the organization’s central and regional offices.

The Taliban-run Ministry of Public Health said the meeting focused on improving TB diagnosis and treatment services, providing standardized care to patients, increasing funding, enhancing the effectiveness of diagnostic processes and building the capacity of healthcare workers.

According to the ministry, Jalali stressed that preventing and treating TB patients remains a top priority for the Taliban health authorities.