KABUL (SW): In line with the International Day of the Midwife (May 5), the Ministry of Public Health has vowed to train up to 12000 midwives by the next five years.
The MoPH officials noted that these trained midwives will be able to meet 80% of the need in rural areas of the country in the coming days. Reports indicate that up to 68% of childbirths in Afghanistan occur at homes with literally no or poor health services available.
Speaking at the occasion to mark the day, Najia Tariq, the Deputy to Ministry of Public Health, highlighted the role midwives are playing to reduce birth related mortality rate.
A survey conducted by the MoPH indicates that, out of 100, 000 delivery cases, 327 women would pass away. On the bright side however, the survey has indicated that in the past a woman would lose life in every 27 minutes due to pregnancy related issues but now this rate has fallen to two hours per death.
The officials stated that during the last decade, the MoPH has been able to train a considerable number of midwives and has appointed them across the country to reduce the childbirth related mortality rate.
Meanwhile, talking to Salam Watandar, some midwives complained about lack of proper employment for them. Most midwives are employed as nurse in public hospitals, they complained. This year, the International Day of the Midwife has been celebrated at a time in Afghanistan when the country remains one of the worst in regard to the childbirth related mortality rate where one out of 50 pregnant women loses life due to lake of health services.
Entitled “Women and newborns: Heart of Midwifery”, the day was organized by the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with the Afghan Union of Midwifes, UNFPA and the USAID.
ENDS
