Afghanistan’s maternal mortality rate is the highest in the region. According to a joint United Nations report, women in the country have a 1 in 52 chance of dying from pregnancy-related causes. To solve this situation UNFPA Midwifery Helpline Supports Helps a Midwife Save a Mother’s Life in Remote Village.
The Midwifery Helpline is staffed by 4 professional health workers; 3 midwives (who work in shifts to run the 24/7 Midwifery Helpline) and an experienced gynecologist and trainer. Dr. Rona Abidi Shayan, 53.
Established in November 2016, the Midwifery Helpline receives an average of 20 calls in 24 hours. Usually, each call has multiple follow up calls from the caller who is usually a midwife, or a gynecologist faced with a complicated case of delivery or pregnancy and in need of desperate help.
“Midwives call with desperation, and we ensure that they do what is necessary,” said Tahira Nazari, one of the midwives staffing the help line.
Afghanistan has an enormous need for qualified midwives. The country has only 3.2 nurses or midwives per 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization.
