Tajik Midwife Killed in Knife Attack in Kunduz Province

KUNDUZ, Afghanistan (Afghan Verified) -- Adolat Hamidi, a midwife from Kulob in Tajikistan who had provided maternity and healthcare services to women in Imam Sahib district of Kunduz Province for years, was killed by an unidentified attacker while returning home from work on Saturday.

Her body was transferred to Tajikistan on Sunday, March 15.

Ghulamuddin Khaksar said the midwife was attacked with a knife by an unknown individual, leading to her death.

Khaksar added that security authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are working to identify and arrest the suspect.

The attack underscores ongoing concerns about the safety of female healthcare workers in northern Afghanistan, where doctors and nurses have repeatedly faced threats and violent attacks while traveling to work or serving in medical facilities.

Local authorities and rights groups have stressed the need for stronger protection measures to ensure women in the health sector can perform their duties safely.

Afghanistan faces a severe shortage of female medical professionals, particularly in rural areas where cultural restrictions limit women's access to male doctors. The World Health Organization notes that the country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Asia, with dozens of mothers and infants dying daily from preventable pregnancy-related causes.

Improving security and protecting healthcare workers remains essential to maintaining basic health services and supporting vulnerable communities.