RASC News Agency: The Islamic Development Bank, in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, has allocated $3 million to bolster Afghanistan’s healthcare system in its fight against polio. The King Salman Foundation reaffirmed its determination to support the treatment of polio and curb its spread within the country. According to a statement from the Islamic Development Bank, this financial assistance forms part of a coordinated effort to strengthen Afghanistan’s healthcare infrastructure. The initiative seeks to eradicate polio and enhance critical healthcare services for the Afghanistani population.
The bank underscored the urgency of addressing polio in Afghanistan, highlighting its growing prevalence as a significant public health concern. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank, extended his gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its proactive role in this humanitarian mission. He lauded the Kingdom’s generous and unwavering support for such initiatives. This intervention comes as Afghanistan witnesses a worrying surge in polio cases this year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 23 confirmed polio cases in Afghanistan in 2024, a dramatic increase compared to the six cases documented last year, all of which were concentrated in Nangarhar province. WHO warned that without immediate action, the disease could spread further. The report also noted a rise in environmental polio detections, which have reached 91 cases in 2024. Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only countries in the world yet to achieve the eradication of polio.
Persistent insecurity and widespread resistance to vaccination campaigns are key factors hindering the elimination of polio in both nations. Additionally, under the Taliban regime, widespread poverty and unemployment have exacerbated the healthcare crisis. Many families are unable to provide adequate care for patients, leaving countless lives at risk and further straining the already fragile healthcare system.
