Afghanistan records one maternal death nearly every hour, WHO says

The World Health Organization (WHO) says Afghanistan continues to record one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates, with nearly one woman dying every hour from preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications.

In a statement released on International Day of the Midwife, WHO said Afghanistan’s maternal mortality rate stands at 521 deaths per 100,000 live births despite improvements in healthcare access over the past two decades.

The agency said many maternal deaths...