Afghanistan sees one maternal death every hour, WHO reports

The World Health Organization says that every hour, a mother dies in Afghanistan from preventable complications, a stark measure of a health system still struggling to protect women during pregnancy and childbirth.

In a statement issued on International Day of the Midwife, the agency said Afghanistan’s maternal mortality rate remains among the highest globally, at 521 deaths per 100,000 live births, even as access to basic care has improved over the past two decades.

Many of these deaths are caused by conditions that are treatable or preventable, including hemorrhage, hypertension, infection and obstructed labor, the WHO said. For women who survive such complications, the consequences are often long-lasting and severe.

The WHO said Afghanistan has seen measurable progress in maternal and child health since the late 2000s. Antenatal care coverage has increased from 31 percent to 76 percent, and the share of births attended by skilled health workers has risen from 24 percent to 67 percent. Child mortality has also declined significantly, dropping from 129 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 56 in 2023, the agency said.

Still, those gains have not been evenly distributed, the WHO said, with women in rural and underserved areas facing the greatest risks.

One of the most serious complications is obstetric fistula, a condition caused primarily by prolonged obstructed labor that can leave women with chronic medical problems and social stigma. The WHO said the condition remains underreported, as many women lack access to specialized care or are unaware that treatment is available.

To address these challenges, the WHO, with support from the Islamic Development Bank, said it is expanding maternal and child health services across Afghanistan. The initiative includes training health workers, improving access to care and establishing specialized treatment centers.

Two fistula treatment centers have been established in Kabul and Kandahar, offering surgical care as well as rehabilitation and support for reintegration into society. The program is expected to directly assist about 300 women and indirectly benefit up to 300,000 women and girls of reproductive age, the WHO said.

More than 977 health workers have also been trained to improve maternal and newborn care, with a focus on preventing complications and ensuring timely treatment, according to the WHO.

“No woman should be left without care during pregnancy and childbirth,” said Edwin Ceniza Salvador, the WHO representative in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s health system continues to face significant challenges, including funding shortages, limited infrastructure and barriers affecting women’s access to care. Aid groups warn that without sustained international support, progress in reducing maternal deaths could stall or reverse.