HERAT, Afghanistan — A pregnant woman in Farsi district of Herat province died on her way to a hospital, underscoring the challenges women face in accessing healthcare in rural Afghanistan.
The woman, identified as Zarmina, passed away before giving birth due to the long distance between her home and the nearest medical facility. Her family said the lack of local healthcare services forced them to attempt to transport her to a hospital in Herat city, but she died en route.
Zarmina leaves behind a two-year-old son, Mohammad, who is now her only child. “We had no choice but to take her to the city because there are no facilities in Farsi,” her mother said.
Poor road conditions and a lack of adequately equipped healthcare centers in rural districts are cited as major causes of maternal mortality in western Afghanistan.
Residents in these areas say they are often forced to travel long distances and incur steep expenses to reach urban centers for medical care. “We don’t have access to healthcare facilities in our district. We have to walk or drive for hours just to reach a city hospital,” one resident said.
Healthcare workers in the region also face severe resource shortages. “We’re struggling with a lack of doctors and nurses,” said Baz Mohammad, an employee at a medical facility. “Some days, we see up to 350 patients, and it’s impossible to provide adequate care.”
According to the United Nations, maternal health in Afghanistan remains one of the worst globally. The U.N. estimates that every two hours, one Afghan mother dies from preventable pregnancy or childbirth-related complications.
The situation highlights the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure and resources in rural areas, where the lack of access to timely medical care continues to claim lives.
