Afghanistan has made remarkable achievements over the last 12 years, some of the most dramatic of which are in the growing access to health care services and the resulting improvement in health outcomes.  Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of the Ministry of Public Health, and with the support of USAID and the international community, maternal mortality rates in Afghanistan have declined by 80 percent and child mortality rates by almost 50 percent.

As of today, the country has a network of primary health care facilities which are accessible to communities even in highly difficult terrain. The number of mothers, newborns and children accessing these services is gradually increasing.  The quality of care being provided in these facilities is also improving.  With focused technical support, the health care service providers are becoming better at performing their work and meeting the needs of their clients. 

Despite advancements towards ending preventable maternal and child deaths, there remain concerning gaps in access to coverage and demand for health services among women.    According to the 2012 Millennium Development Goals Report, 102 children out of every 1,000 die, 74 babies out of every 1,000 die, and the maternal mortality rate is 327 out of every 100,000.  Only 40% of pregnant woman deliver their babies with a skilled birth attendant.   Clearly, work still remains to be done to ensure that women, newborns and children are receiving the right interventions, at the right time, and in a respectful way.

Last month the Ministry of Public Health joined the global “Every Woman Every Child Campaign” with a timely Call to Action. Afghanistan has committed to Renewing the Promise for Maternal and Child Survival.  Participants in the Call to Action Afghanistan unanimously agreed and committed to achieving the following targets by 2020:

• Reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio to 255 deaths per 100,000 live births
• Reduce the Newborn Mortality Rate to 26 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Reduce the Child Mortality Rate to 65 deaths per 1,000 live births

USAID is pleased to launch a program that responds to the aims of the Ministry of Public Health’s Call to Action.  This program builds on Afghanistan’s progress to date by introducing proven, lifesaving interventions to support the Ministry’s efforts towards Ending Preventable Maternal and Child Mortality.

We have great confidence that jointly we can address the key causes of maternal and child mortality through simple, cost-effective interventions and fulfill the promise we made together at the Call to Action. Together we have the tools to do it.

Ensuring that these high-quality, proven interventions are available and that Afghan mothers and children are positively motivated to access them will reduce deaths that we know are preventable.  More women will survive pregnancy and childbirth and more babies will survive and thrive, attend school, and grow up to become leaders in their communities and for the nation. 

The U. S. Government will continue to support Afghanistan in helping to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term development challenges. In close collaboration with other development partners, we are committed to a comprehensive and enduring partnership with the Afghan people. 

Your Excellency, Honorable Minister of Public Health, Dr. Feroz, the United States Government stood with you when you renewed the promise to save lives during the Call to Action event.  Today, we formally launch with you the HEMAYAT project as evidence of our commitment to support your Government to end preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths. 

Thank you.