Afghanistan’s Maternal Death Crisis Deepens as Health System Nears Collapse

DID Press: World Health Organization has warned that Afghanistan is facing one of the most alarming maternal mortality crises globally, with one pregnant woman dying every hour from largely preventable complications.

According to the latest WHO report, the country’s maternal mortality rate has reached 521 deaths per 100,000 live births, placing Afghanistan among the most dangerous places in the world for pregnancy and childbirth.

The figures indicate that many of these deaths could be avoided with basic medical care—services that remain inaccessible to large segments of the population.

Female doctors, speaking to media outlets, identified a critical shortage of women medical specialists as a key driver of the crisis. Restrictions on women’s education and employment have forced many healthcare facilities to either operate without female staff or shut down entirely.

Medical professionals further warned that barring female graduates from specialist training and national certification exams is pushing the healthcare system toward collapse. This situation threatens not only mothers but also newborns and future generations.

Health experts stress that unless restrictions on women’s education and employment are lifted—and access to healthcare services for women is ensured—the upward trend in maternal deaths is likely to continue.