The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has called on donor agencies to increase funding for Afghanistan’s health sector.

The MoPH made the call at a Health Cluster meeting held today (Saturday), attended by representatives of partner organisations, international organisations and institutions, the ministry said in a statement.

It said Minister Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, ministry advisers, several central directors and representatives of various departments, as well as representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and a number of national and international health partners, attended the meeting.

Participants discussed achievements in the health sector, existing challenges, new policies, standardisation of health services and improving public access to healthcare.

They also exchanged views on better regulation of health services, strengthening coordination among partner organisations, improving the effectiveness of health programmes, the current humanitarian situation in the country, healthcare needs of internally displaced people (IDPs) and returnees, mental health and other related issues.