The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Afghanistan reports that since the beginning of the second phase of Afghan deportations from Pakistan, 17 women have given birth in health centers and emergency maternity clinics located along the border.
In a statement released on Sunday, April 13, 2025, UNFPA emphasized that these childbirth cases at zero-point border crossings highlight the urgent need for maternal healthcare services for returning mothers.
According to the statement, over the past two weeks, 12 women returning from Pakistan delivered their babies at a primary health center located at the zero point border crossing, while another five gave birth at an emergency maternity clinic in the migrant reception center.
Stressing the importance of providing maternal health services at border locations, the agency added that all of the newborns were delivered in good health.
Meanwhile, the UNFPA also shared the story of Salma, a woman who returned to Afghanistan after living in Pakistan for 15 years and gave birth to her child just days after arriving at a primary health center at the Torkham border.
Salma stated, “The journey was very difficult for me because I was in my 38th week of pregnancy.”
She went into labor while staying in one of the designated tents for migrants.
“I was confused and scared, and I didn’t know what to do. Fortunately, the healthcare staff came and helped me,” she added.
It is worth noting that the deportation of Afghan migrants from Pakistan is continuing at an intense pace.
Among the deportees are many children and pregnant women.
You can read the Persian version of this news here:
سازمان ملل: از آغاز اخراج افغانها از پاکستان ۱۷ زن در مراکز صحی مرزی زایمان کردند | روزنامه ۸صبح
