China pledged to provide three million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Afghanistan as part of the humanitarian support for the country. 

Around 800,000 doses of the vaccine arrived in Kabul on Wednesday. While handing over the vaccine to the Afghan health officials in a ceremony, the Chinese Wang Yu said that around 200,000 doses of vaccine would arrive on Thursday.  

“We have announced another three million doses of vaccine to Afghanistan and some other medical supplies. So, all together now, China has announced around 40 million US dollars (worth) of aid, including vaccines, including medical supplies, food, rice and winter coats,” he said.  

The deputy minister of health services, Abdul Bari Omar, said that pregnant women and children can also take these vaccines.  

“Pregnant women and children can use these vaccines,” he said.  

The aid comes amid a drastic economic crisis that has also severely affected the Afghan health sector. 

Officials at the Afghan-Japan hospital said that the hospital has recently struggled with a shortage of medical supplies.  

“The Afghan-Japan hospital lacks sufficient medical supplies, and even food supplies are not sufficient, and now we are facing further challenges,” said Zalmai Rishteen, head of the hospital.