Decrease in Maternal and Child Mortality in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, it used to be that one in five children wold die from preventable illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhea and one in 11 mothers would die from pregnancy related causes. Recent data released by the Afghan government reveals that maternal and child mortality has been reduced dramatically. Now, one in ten children and one in 50 mothers die due to preventable causes.

Thanks to organizations like Save the Children, more and more midwives are being trained. Four years ago, a province would typically have only four midwives for almost half a million people. With increased training provided by Save the Children, nearly 150 new midwives will deliver 500 new borns a year and in the process save thousands of mothers and babies.

-Akshika Patel


SOURCE: Save the Children