UNICEF Says Mother and Newborn Care Improves in 55 Afghan Hospitals

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that maternal and newborn care services in 55 hospitals in Afghanistan have improved through the implementation of training programmes and the provision of medical equipment.

In a report issued on Thursday, 5 Sunbula, the agency said the measures were carried out under the “High Impact Value Added” (HIVA) project and focused on strengthening the capacity of doctors, midwives and other health workers.

According to UNICEF, the skills of health workers have been improved through training, mentoring and supervision to reduce risks for mothers and newborns and increase their access to better-quality services.

UNICEF also said the programme is being implemented with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and that 10 small skills-training laboratories have been established in a number of health centres.

The agency stressed that improving health services, increasing equipment and making better use of health information can improve the chances of survival for mothers and newborns and help their healthy development.

UNICEF is one of the main UN agencies supporting children and mothers, and in Afghanistan part of its work focuses on strengthening basic health services, especially in medical centres.