National Health Strategy 2016‒2020.

The Mission Statement of the Ministry of Public Health of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is to prevent ill health and achieve significant reductions in mortality in line with the national targets and sustainable development goals and to reduce impoverishment due to catastrophic health expenditure. Also to be responsive to the rights of citizens through improving access and utilization of quality, equitable, affordable health and nutrition services among all communities especially mother and children in rural areas, And through changing attitudes and practices, promoting healthy lifestyles and effectively implementing other public health interventions. All in coordination and collaboration with other stakeholders within the framework of strong leadership, sustained political will and commitment, good governance, and effective and efficient management; in its continuous pursuit to become a ministerial ‘institution of excellence’.
The goal of the National Health Strategy 2016‒2020 is to attain strengthened, expanded, efficient, and sustained performance by the health system. Thus ensuring enhanced and equitable access to quality healthcare services in an affordable manner and resulting in the improved overall health and nutrition status of all populations, especially women, children, and vulnerable groups. The six objectives of the national health strategy, one for each strategic area, are: 1. Enhanced, strengthened, and accountable health sector governance is decisively instituted, with strong and visible leadership and evidence-based advocacy at all levels (governance). 2. Strengthened, expanded, and sustainable health system is in place, with well-functioning institutions (institutional development). 3. Preventable death, illness, and disability are reduced through provision of cost-effective, high-impact, evidence-based public health programs and interventions (public health). 4. Improved and expanded quality primary, secondary, and tertiary health services are achieved in an equitable and sustainable manner across all geographic areas and population groups through more effective and efficient use of existing resources, thus achieving better value for money (health services). 5. Competent and motivated health workforce is effectively developed, deployed, and retained in line with current and future requirements in an efficient and cost-effective manner (human resources for health). 6. Strengthened monitoring, evaluation, surveillance, health information, and an improved culture of learning and knowledge management are in place, resulting in increased evidence-based decision making and practices at all levels of the health system (M&E, health information, learning, and knowledge/evidence-based practices).
The key cross cutting elements and guiding principles for the strategy implementation include: Strong and visible country ownership; Effective strategic communication and coordination; Sustainability through health systems strengthening; Coordinated and effective capacity building; Greater synergies and leveraging; Gender balance and equality approach; Private sector engagement; Managing for results, with mutual accountability; Culture of data/information use and evidence-based decision making.