WHO Reports Afghanistan Faces One Maternal Death Nearly Every Hour

The World Health Organization reports that Afghanistan continues to experience one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with nearly one woman dying every hour from preventable pregnancy-related complications. According to WHO data, the country’s maternal mortality rate stands at 521 deaths per 100,000 live births. The agency noted that the majority of these fatalities are linked to treatable conditions, including severe bleeding, high blood pressure, infections, and prolonged labor.

Despite the high mortality figures, health indicators have shown measurable improvement over the past two decades. Prenatal care coverage has increased from 31 percent in the late 2000s to 76 percent, while the proportion of births attended by skilled health workers rose from 24 percent to 67 percent. Child mortality has also declined significantly, dropping from 129 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 56 per 1,000 in 2023.

The WHO cautioned that these gains remain fragile due to persistent structural challenges. Healthcare access is highly uneven, with rural and remote regions facing severe shortages of medical facilities and trained personnel. The health sector is further strained by chronic funding shortfalls, broader economic pressures, and restrictions on women’s mobility and employment, which limit both patient access to care and the availability of female health workers.

In response, the WHO is working alongside the Islamic Development Bank to strengthen maternal and newborn health services across the country. The joint initiative aims to expand care networks and train nearly 1,000 healthcare workers to address staffing gaps and improve emergency obstetric response.