OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has recently announced that Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with 600 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births in the country.
In a statement released today (Monday, June 1), the organization noted that specialized care and the presence of female health workers play a crucial role in saving mothers’ lives; however, restrictions placed on women’s participation have reduced access to essential health services for mothers and newborns.
The statement highlighted that limited access for women and girls to health services contributes to the increase in maternal and neonatal mortality.
It is worth mentioning that Afghanistan has faced one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates for years. The lack of health centers in several remote districts and the shortage of female health workers are considered significant factors contributing to this situation.
Additionally, a recent study published in mid-April this year regarding maternal and neonatal health services in Afghanistan showed that midwives remain a cornerstone of the country’s health system. However, the shortage of female staff, deep disparities between regions, and educational restrictions pose serious threats to the future of this sector.
According to this research, by the year 2023, approximately 8,094 midwives were active in Afghanistan, of which nearly 6,746 work in public health services. This comes at a time when the density of health workers, including doctors and midwives, is estimated at about 10.3 per 10,000 population, which is significantly lower than the World Health Organization’s recommended standard of 44.5.
