Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, inaugurating the training and care centre for severe acute malnutrition treatment at the Indira Gandhi Child Institute 26 July 2012 – Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, visited Afghanistan from 24 to 25 July. He was accompanied by Dr Bruce Aylward, WHO Assistant Director for Polio and Emergencies.
This was Dr Alwan's first visit to Afghanistan since his appointment as Regional Director. His agenda included meetings with national authorities and development partners. He attended the annual Polio Eradication Initiative cross-border coordination meeting from 24 to 25 July 2012, with representatives of the Government of Pakistan and development partners.
Dr Alwan's visit included a meeting with the UN Representative for Afghanistan Mr Micheal Keating and H.E. Minister of Public Health Dr Suraya Dalil. Dr Alwan inaugurated a training and care treatment centre for severe acute malnutrition at the Indira Gandhi Child Institute, for which WHO provided financial and technical support. In Afghanistan, malnutrition remains among the most devastating public health problems facing the majority of people especially children under five and pregnant and lactating women.
