A mother dies from preventable complications every hour in Afghanistan: WHO

A mother dies from preventable complications every hour in Afghanistan the World Health Organization WHO said showcasing a health system still struggling to protect women during pregnancy and childbirth local media reported on WednesdayIn a statement issued on International Day of the Midwife the WHO said the maternal mortality rate in Afghanistan remains among the highest across the world at 521 deaths per 100000 live births even as access to basic care has improved over the past 20 years Afghanistans Amu TV reportedMany of these deaths occurred due to conditions that can be treated or prevented including haemorrhage hypertension infection and hindered labour the WHO said The consequences are often longlasting and severe for women who survive such complicationsSince the late 2000s Afghanistan has witnessed progress in maternal and child health according to the WHO Antenatal care coverage has witnessed rise from 31 per cent to 76 per cent and the share of births attended by skilled health workers has risen from 24 per cent to 67 per cent The agency said child mortality has witnessed a drop from 129 deaths per 1000 live births in 2000 to 56 in 2023 However the WHO stated that women in rural and underserved areas face the greatest risksAccording to the WHO one of the most serious complications faced by women is obstetric fistula a condition caused mainly by prolonged obstructed labour that could result in women facing several medical problems and social stigma Amu TV reportedThe WHO said the condition remains underreported since many women lack access to specialised care or do not know that it can be treated In order to address these challenges the WHO said that it is increasing maternal and child health services in Afghanistan with the support of the Islamic Development BankLast month the United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund UNICEF warned that Afghanistan risks losing up to 20000 women teachers and 5400 healthcare workers by 2030 amid continuing restrictions on girlsrsquo education and womenrsquos employment in the countryIn its latest analysis titled ldquoThe Cost of Inaction on Girlsrsquo Education and Womenrsquos Labour Force Participation in Afghanistan UNICEF said that female representation in the civil services fell from 21 per cent to 177 per cent between 2023 and 2025It cautioned that the declining number of trained women professionals in schools and hospitals across Afghanistan would have devastating consequences for childrens education health outcomes and future opportunitiesldquoRestrictions on girlsrsquo and womens education and work are already costing the country US84 million annually in lost economic output with losses compounding over time as they remain blocked from education and employmentrdquo UNICEF mentionedAccording to the UN agency removing women from teaching and healthcare services in Afghanistan ndash two sectors where they are permitted to work and are critically needed ndash directly harms children as it will lead to fewer girls in schools and reduced care for women and childrenThe impact it said is particularly severe in healthcare where societal context often prevents women from receiving medical services from men while the declining number of female health workers will directly limit maternal newborn and child health servicesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever