Recently, 31 new midwives graduated from the Nangarhar Institute of Health Sciences (IHS). The women have completed three years of studies, having started their education in 2019.
– At times, it was unimaginable for us to complete our studies during the devastating conditions, but NAC made it possible for us to turn our dreams into reality and save the lives of infants and their mothers, says one of the midwives.
In August of 2021, halfway through their studies, the Taliban-government came to power. For many women the future seemed uncertain, and the continuously increasing restrictions for women and girls have made it difficult to envision a future. Now, having finished their studies, this class of midwives are ready to deliver high-quality health care in hard-to-reach areas, where they will play a crucial role in reducing the increasing infant- and maternal mortality rates.
Recent graduate, Moska, is grateful for the opportunity to nurture her ambition to protect babies and guide new mothers.
– My dreams have now turned into reality, and I don’t have enough words to express my happiness that I am now able to go out and save lives, she says.
New midwife receiving her diploma
The women have faced several obstacles on their way to becoming midwives, with one of them, Bushra, telling us about how this was not only her dream, but also that of her late husband.
– My husband also dreamed of me becoming a midwife, so I have tackled all these challenges to fulfill not only my dream, but his as well, Moska explains. She now hopes for the opportunity to ensure that she not only can help mothers and children in need, but also that she can have a steady income and support herself and her family.
Over the past two decades, the Nangarhar Institute of Health Sciences has seen more than 600 midwives graduate. These are now delivering health care in remote areas in Eastern Afghanistan. Read more about NACs work with health here.
