Health intervention is important as Afghanistan is grappling with severe health crisis compounded by a fragile health care system. According to UN, the country has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world and thousands of Afghan women die every year from pregnancy-related causes, a majority of which can be easily preventable. As per Statistics, 106.75 is the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in 2021 (latest available statistics). Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is 620 per 100,000 live births in 2021. It also has the highest under 5 mortality rate in Asia. There is less awareness on health issues and failed health system.
The main goal of Serve Afghanistan in the Health sector is to facilitate access to health services to pregnant & lactating mothers, children 0 to 2 years and general population from poor and vulnerable families. The project will also improve health seeking behaviour and nutritional intake among the target community through awareness creation.
To address the health problem, Serve is supporting three health clinics in Kandahar, Laghman and Kabul. Last year, 1811 pregnant women were provided IFA tablets and ANC support through the clinics. 708 Pregnant women took two TT shots during their pregnancy. Safe delivery was conducted in the clinics and at home by qualified health professionals from the clinics. 1622 children completed all the course of vaccines. 36,590 people from poor background were treated at the clinics by the Clinic doctors free of cost. Most of the illness treated were related to Common cold, Nose, ear and throat diseases, Pneumonia, Diarrheal diseases, Malaria, Gastric diseases, Bone diseases, Oral cavity diseases, HTN, Anaemia, UTI, Skin diseases and trauma.