The Ministry of Public Health said that heart diseases are the cause of 21% of deaths in the country.

During a meeting held to commemorate World Heart Day, the Deputy Minister of Public Health called on international organizations to cooperate in providing standard healthcare services, especially in the field of cardiology.

Abdul Wali Haqqani, Deputy Minister of Public Health, said: "The leadership of the Ministry of Public Health asks all its health partners to continue their cooperation with the Ministry in delivering standard services."

At the same time, the president of the Afghanistan Cardiovascular Association said that efforts should be made to treat heart patients, especially in the creation of international strategies considering the culture of the people of the country and raising public awareness.

Abdul Wahid Siddiqi, President of the Afghanistan Cardiovascular Association, said: "In the development and implementation of standard strategies and guidelines according to international standards, the cultural aspects of Afghan society must be taken into account."

Meanwhile, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) at the meeting pointed out that public awareness regarding non-communicable diseases is low and the Ministry of Health's budget for this area is also limited. He pledged WHO's support in fighting non-communicable diseases, particularly heart diseases.

Manuel, the WHO representative in Afghanistan, said: "The World Health Organization is committed to continuing its technical cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health in preventing, combating, controlling, diagnosing, and treating non-communicable diseases, especially heart diseases, to prevent these illnesses."

September 29 is World Heart Day, and every year the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health in various countries commemorate this day to raise public awareness.