Maternal Health Services at the Community Level in Afghanistan: Who Should Provide These Services

摘要

The reduction of Afghanistans high maternal mortality ratio is a principle objective of the Ministry of Healths Reproductive Health Strategy. A central initiative that will substantially contribute to this strategy is the country-wide expansion of maternal health services, specifically the expansion of essential obstetric care services, at all levels of the health system from facilities to communities. To do this will require the training, deployment and support of skilled birth attendants to both rural and urban areas. Midwives and doctors must be taught the interventions that are currently thought to be the most important and will have the greatest impact in improving health maternal and newborn health and preventing mortality.