Afghan Maternal Death Rate Hits 521 Per 100,000 Live Births: WHO

KABUL, May 6 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Afghanistan continues to face one of the world's highest maternal mortality rates, with 521 women dying for every 100,000 live births due to preventable complications, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), reported Xinhua.

According to the WHO report on Tuesday, obstetric fistula, a severe maternal morbidity caused primarily by prolonged obstructed labour, results in continuous urinary or faecal incontinence, chronic health problems and profound social stigmatisation.

Many affected women face isolation from their families and communities, are unable to engage in gainful activities, and endure deep psychological distress, the report stated.

Despite its devastating impact on women's health and well-being, fistula remains a hidden and under-addressed condition. Women living with the injury often suffer in silence due to shame, limited access to specialised surgical care, and a pervasive lack of awareness that effective treatment is available, the report added. 

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA