KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on May 5, 2026 that with support from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), it is scaling up essential health services for women and children across Afghanistan, aiming to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths and improve access to lifesaving care.
Over the past two decades, Afghanistan has made measurable progress in maternal and child health. Antenatal care coverage has increased significantly from 31% to 76%, while the proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel has risen from 24% to 67% since 2007/2008. Similarly, child mortality has declined from 129 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 56 in 2023.
However, despite these improvements, serious challenges remain. Maternal mortality continues to be alarmingly high, with 521 deaths per 100,000 live births. In fact, health officials report that nearly every hour, a woman in Afghanistan dies from preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, including hemorrhage, hypertension, sepsis, and obstructed labor.
Moreover, for women who survive such complications, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. One of the most devastating conditions is obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury often caused by prolonged obstructed labor. This condition results in chronic incontinence, ongoing medical issues, and deep social stigma. As a result, many affected women are excluded from their communities, unable to work, and experience significant psychological distress.
Despite its serious impact, obstetric fistula remains largely hidden. Many women suffer in silence due to shame, limited access to specialized treatment, and a lack of awareness that the condition is treatable.
In response, WHO and IsDB have launched targeted interventions to strengthen reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services. These efforts include training healthcare workers, improving access to quality care, and expanding specialized medical services.
As part of this initiative, two specialized fistula treatment centers have been established—one at the Rabia-e-Balkhi National Maternity Hospital in Kabul and another at the Mirwais Regional Hospital. These centers provide surgical repair as well as comprehensive rehabilitation services, including psychological support and assistance with social reintegration.
The project is expected to directly benefit around 300 fistula survivors, while indirectly supporting approximately 300,000 women and girls of reproductive age across the country.
In addition, more than 977 healthcare workers have received specialized training to enhance the quality of maternal and newborn care. This effort is designed to prevent complications and ensure timely medical intervention when needed.
Speaking on the initiative, WHO Representative in Afghanistan, Edwin Ceniza Salvador, emphasized the importance of equitable healthcare access. He stated that no woman should be left without care during pregnancy and childbirth, and every newborn deserves the best possible start in life.
Ultimately, through continued collaboration with national health authorities and sustained support from IsDB, this initiative is helping save lives and restore dignity to women across Afghanistan, marking an important step toward strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
In addition, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has emphasized that a global shortage of skilled midwives remains one of the biggest barriers to reducing maternal and newborn deaths.
Marking International Midwives Day, UNFPA Afghanistan called for investing in one million additional midwives worldwide, describing it as the most effective way to expand access to antenatal care, safe delivery services, and postnatal support—especially in rural and underserved communities.
The agency stressed that strengthening the midwifery workforce is essential in countries like Afghanistan, where fragile health systems and limited infrastructure continue to restrict access to lifesaving care.
International Midwives Day, observed annually by the World Health Organization and the International Confederation of Midwives, aims to highlight the critical contribution of midwives to maternal and newborn health, mortality reduction, and community wellbeing. The day seeks to raise global awareness of their role and advocate for stronger investment in the profession.
