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WHO: US Withdrawal Threatens Anti-Polio Efforts in Afghanistan

Hanan Balkhy, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization For the Eastern Mediterranean, has expressed concern over the United States' decision to withdraw from the organization. 

Balkhy stated that halting US support will create significant challenges, particularly in the fight against polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  

This comes as polio has yet to be fully eradicated in Afghanistan.  

“The announcement of the United States’ withdrawal from WHO is undoubtedly regrettable, especially because the United States has provided significant support over the past seventy years since the establishment of the WHO. This includes substantial contributions to the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly in combating polio. We are now in the final stages of eradicating polio in the last two countries in the world—Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the regional director emphasized.

WHO has funded various health projects in Afghanistan. However, what impact would cutting off funding have?  

“The World Health Organization has played a major role in this area—both in terms of training and monitoring and reporting. The organization also implemented educational programs, such as those for polio vaccination, to encourage citizens to vaccinate their precious children and save them from paralysis,” said Najibullah Qasemi, a doctor.

“Most of the projects in Afghanistan managed by WHO were funded directly by the US government. Unfortunately, with this withdrawal, there is a possibility that the continuation of these projects will face significant challenges,” Another doctor Sayed Abdullah Ahmadi, remarked. 

Afghanistan continues to battle polio. While the Ministry of Public Health denied reports of any positive cases last year, WHO recorded over 20 confirmed polio cases in Afghanistan during the same period.

WHO: US Withdrawal Threatens Anti-Polio Efforts in Afghanistan

Balkhy stated that halting US support will create significant challenges, particularly in the fight against polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  

تصویر بندانگشتی

Hanan Balkhy, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization For the Eastern Mediterranean, has expressed concern over the United States' decision to withdraw from the organization. 

Balkhy stated that halting US support will create significant challenges, particularly in the fight against polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  

This comes as polio has yet to be fully eradicated in Afghanistan.  

“The announcement of the United States’ withdrawal from WHO is undoubtedly regrettable, especially because the United States has provided significant support over the past seventy years since the establishment of the WHO. This includes substantial contributions to the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly in combating polio. We are now in the final stages of eradicating polio in the last two countries in the world—Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the regional director emphasized.

WHO has funded various health projects in Afghanistan. However, what impact would cutting off funding have?  

“The World Health Organization has played a major role in this area—both in terms of training and monitoring and reporting. The organization also implemented educational programs, such as those for polio vaccination, to encourage citizens to vaccinate their precious children and save them from paralysis,” said Najibullah Qasemi, a doctor.

“Most of the projects in Afghanistan managed by WHO were funded directly by the US government. Unfortunately, with this withdrawal, there is a possibility that the continuation of these projects will face significant challenges,” Another doctor Sayed Abdullah Ahmadi, remarked. 

Afghanistan continues to battle polio. While the Ministry of Public Health denied reports of any positive cases last year, WHO recorded over 20 confirmed polio cases in Afghanistan during the same period.

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