Radio Sahar: Afghan official report drop in mortality rate among pregnant women

Excerpt from report by Afghan female-orientated community Radio Sahar on 8 October

[Presenter] According to the statistics released by the Afghan Health Ministry, the mortality rate of pregnant women has fallen in the country. At the same time, the Herat Health Department held a ceremony on the occasion of the National Day of Immune Mother today. The Herat health officials say that this day will be celebrated across the country and a three-month campaign has already been organized to improve women’s level of awareness [on pregnancy, delivery and postpartum measures and hygiene]. Hamid Azad is reporting:

[Correspondent] Mohammad Rafiq Sherzai, head of Herat Health Department’s press office, has told Radio Sahar on the phone that this day is celebrated at a time when the mortality rate among expecting women has declined. He states that 900 mothers out of 100,000 births lost their lives according to the statistics released in Herat Province last year. The official quotes the report as indicating that 1,300 mothers out of 100,000 have died in other parts of the country [in the past years]. Nevertheless, there has been a decrease with 1,200 instances since last year. [Passage omitted: repetition]

Mr Sherzai says that 900 midwives have been trained in Herat and five main centres and 56 basic centres providing services for pregnant women have been established across the province.

Afghan Health Ministry officials are trying to cope with this high mortality rate by establishing such centres and improving women’s level of awareness. The statistics also prove the efforts have yielded good results.

[Description of Source: Herat Radio Sahar in Dari -- local independent radio station in Herat run mainly by women. OSC IAP20071008950133 Herat Radio Sahar in Dari 1230 GMT 08 Oct 07]