Afghanistan Times
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By Farhad Naibkhel
KABUL: The Ministry of Public Health in cooperation with related organs on Wednesday commenced a campaign titled “Commitment to Reduce Maternal Mortality in Afghanistan”, in order to decrease maternal mortality ratio to 70 in each 100,000 live births to reach the Sustainable Development Goals.
During the ceremony of campaign, the First Lady Rula Ghani backed such initiative to help women in reduction of mortality rates, said challenges ahead of women is not acceptable anymore.
First Lady put under age marriages, lack of women doctors and facilities in remote districts as main factors that women lose lives during and after child delivery.
Thought health sectors have progressed a lot, she said, but still insufficiency exists that pose huge risks to mothers. Hinting to paradoxes regarding figure of mother mortality, she said it is a matter of concern.
“Exact and clear figures is necessary to bring out problemsand took steps in accordance with.”
Better malnutrition of mothers, improving healthcare facility, good management of hospitals are key efforts to decline maternal mortality in the country, she asserted.
Head of Rabia Balkhi Maternity Hospital Dr. Sediqa Abdullah Habib said social, cultural and economic issues have been the main factors behind high number of mother mortality.
“Domestic violence at home, in working area and hardworking isanother issues behind mother death during pregnancy,” she added.
“With increasing rate of literacy, awareness and boosting up healthcare facility, we can reduce mother mortality and reach to the SDGs goal by 2030.”
Since 2002-2015 public health ministry in cooperation with national and international partners succeeded to reduce mother mortality from 1,600 in each 100,000 live birth to 661 in the country, she mentioned.
She added;“We in cooperation with relevant organs struggle e to reach SDGs goal and reduce mortality to 70 in each 100,000 till 2030 across the country.
“Although, insecurity and lack of budget is a greatest barrier, but if the international community and the government concentrate over the issue, we will have progresses in the aspect.”
According to her the ministry would fail to run aforementioned commitment campaign better, it is required all related sectorsefforts, particularly the Ministry of Religious and Hajj Affairs. She also termed media role vital in giving awareness about the ways how to reduce mother mortality in the country.
