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]

Radio Sahar: First modern burn unit opens in Herat

Excerpt from report by Afghan female-orientated community Radio Sahar on 7 October

[Presenter] Afghan health minister took part in the inaugural ceremony of a burn centre in Herat Province today. The burn centre has been built thanks to the financial support of the US and French governments. Here is a report on this:

[Correspondent] The hospital has been built amid mounting concern over the increasing instances injuries involving burns. The officials are now trying to prevent casualties caused by immolation instances at this hospital.

In the meantime, Afghan Health Minister Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatemi says this is the only modern burn centre in the country, adding that the US government has spent 700,000 dollars for construction of the hospital. In addition, the French government provided 400,000 euros as aid for equipping it, the minister states. [Passage omitted: minister's comments, repetition]

The hospital has 36 beds and has been built in three floors, with different wards of physiotherapy, treatment of burn injuries and psychosocial services. It is said that the cases of immolation have exceeded 270 in the current year, 246 cases among women and children and 47 cases of self-immolation. It is reported that most of the people setting fire to themselves succumbed to their injuries.

Self-immolation mainly takes place among women, which has caused deep concern [in the Afghan society]. The observers blame patriarchy and traditionalism as the underlying factors of these instances in Herat Province.

Source: Radio Sahar, Herat, in Dari 1230 gmt 7 Oct 07 via OSC EUP20071008950050 Caversham BBC Monitoring