Dr. Sayed Mohammad Fatimie, the Minister of Public Health participated in an official celebration of International Day of the Midwife (IDM) at the auditorium of MoPH. Addressing hundreds of midwives and staff of MoPH, Dr. Fatimie said that for me every day is International Day of the Midwife, because every day they are saving lives of mothers and babies.
WHO today urged governments to require that all tobacco packages include pictorial warnings to show the sickness and suffering caused by tobacco use. Studies reveal that even among people who believe tobacco is harmful; few understand its specific health risks. Despite this, health warnings on tobacco packages in most countries do not provide information to warn consumers of the risks.
Afghanistan Celebrates National Day for Making Motherhood Safe
Afghanistan has the second highest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the world with a mortality of 1,600 per100, 000 live births. There is no current data available, but the mortality must have been reduced with the increasing coverage of health services for women at district level. The Afghan National Development Strategy has set a target of 75% reduction in the MMR by the end of 2020.
Care for eye and prevention of blindness is Public Health priorities in Afghanistan
Eye diseases and blindness are common and a public health problem in Afghanistan. An estimate of 400 000 people are blind (around 1.5 - 2% of the population in Afghanistan), more than 90% of blindness is avoidable (preventable & curable), main causes of blindness in Afghanistan which are counted the main eye problems as well, are reported to be cataract, corneal opacity (due to trachoma and vitamin A deficiency), refractive error, glaucoma and trauma and every year around 25000 Afghans loose vision in one of their eyes. Studies show that blindness is more common in females than in males.
World Mental Health celebration shows that improvement of mental health status of Afghans are top priority of Ministry of Public Health
Recent surveys conducted by the national and international organizations, indicates that 66 % of Afghans suffering from the stress disorders and mental problems. The causes of mental health problems in Afghanistan are due to extreme poverty, insecurity, political instability, appalling infrastructure and large gender disparities. In recent decades Afghanistan has faced a series of long term disasters deeply affected the coping mechanisms of the population and the capacity of the health care system to respond to the mental health needs.
