The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that healthcare teams are working to prevent avoidable deaths by investigating the causes of maternal and newborn mortality.
The organization said on Tuesday, October 13, that these investigations are conducted under the Maternal and Newborn Death Surveillance and Response (MNDSR) program.
According to WHO, the program, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has been implemented in 22 hospitals across 10 provinces since 2025 and has been expanded to an additional 28 health facilities in seven provinces.
WHO added that more than 900 healthcare workers and managers in Afghanistan have received training under the program since 2003.
According to the organization, severe bleeding, eclampsia (seizures caused by pregnancy-related complications), and infections are among the leading causes of maternal deaths.
Premature birth, birth asphyxia, and infections are also among the causes of newborn deaths.
The program aims to improve the quality of maternal and newborn healthcare and reduce preventable deaths.
