The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has recently stated that education and prenatal care for women in Afghanistan are vital and help reduce the risks of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
In a report, the organization said that in many parts of Afghanistan, women are forced to travel long distances to receive healthcare services.
UNFPA further emphasized that in the absence of professional medical centers, pregnancy and childbirth are often carried out at home with the assistance of untrained individuals.
The organization added that establishing maternal and family health service centers in remote areas would reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications, increase access to healthcare services, and improve the health of mothers and newborns.
The report also noted that providing prenatal education—including postnatal care, safe spacing between pregnancies, and identifying warning signs—plays an important role in protecting the health of mothers and newborns.
According to UNFPA, the development and expansion of maternal and newborn healthcare services, especially in underserved areas, can improve family health and reduce years of concern and risks caused by the lack of professional services.
International organizations have also described Afghanistan as one of the most difficult countries for mothers, stating that Afghan women face numerous challenges during pregnancy and childbirth.
Concerns about rising maternal mortality rates in Afghanistan come at a time when, following the takeover of the country by the current authorities and the reduction of international aid, the national healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.
