USAID

USAID works on reducing maternal adn newborn mortality in Afghanistan by increasing the number of trained midwives

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Reproductive Health Strategy and Policy National (2012-2016) and its associated action and costing plan (2012-2016) at a workshop held in Kabul today.  

The workshop audience included more than one hundred participants from various Afghanistan Government agencies, donors and stakeholders, international non-profit organizations, professional organizations, Provincial Reproductive Health officers and representatives of pediatric and maternity hospitals. The goal of the strategy is to improve the reproductive health status of families in Afghanistan through the provision of integrated reproductive health services in partnership with the community, development partners and the private sector. 

“This revised policy and strategy will guide the MoPH in addressing the reproductive needs of the country.  It will also guide other ministries, donor agencies, the private sector and other partners in helping us address our priorities,” said Minister of Public Health Dr. Suraya Dalil.     

USAID’s Health Services Support Project, implemented by Jhpiego, provided technical and financial support for the creation of MOPH’s National Reproductive Health Strategy and Policy. All internal and external stakeholders were included in the process and their comments and recommendations were integrated in these documents. 

“USAID supports the Ministry of Public Health’s commitment to achieving Millennium Development Goals four and five to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. The Ministry’s goal of making quality reproductive health services available to all Afghan families, and developing a Reproductive Health Strategy and Policy is an important step towards achieving these Millennium Development goals,” said USAID project officer Dr Faiz Mohammad. 

USAID supports the Ministry of Public Health’s (MoPH) efforts to reduce high levels of maternal and newborn mortality by improving service delivery and quality of basic health services in Afghanistan, and by increasing the number of trained and skilled midwives, particularly in remote and rural areas of the country. 

2012 07 17 Press Release - RHS Launch (English)