Afghan Midwives Association celebrates first anniversary
Second annual Congress of the Afghan Midwives Association held in Kabul
May 2006
 On 1 May, 250 members of the Afghan Midwives Association (AMA) assembled to
celebrate their first anniversary and hold their second Congress at the Sitara Restaurant in Kabul. The second annual
Congress of the AMA was opened by Dr. Nadera Hayat Burhani, Reproductive Health Deputy Minister
of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), who spoke to the midwives about the important role
they play in reducing Afghanistan's high maternal mortality rate.
Although it has only been in existence for one year, AMA President Pashtoon
Azfar spoke of the organization's outstanding achievements. Officially accepted as a member
of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and registered with the Afghan Ministry
of Justice, more than 18 provincial AMA groups have been formed and 650 midwives have joined
the association in its first year. Afghan midwives have also traveled to midwifery meetings
in Australia and the United States, where Ms. Azfar received an award for her dedication
and leadership of the AMA.
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Ms. Pashtoon Azfar, AMA President
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Dr. Nadera Hayat Burhani (MOPH) speaks to midwives as Ms. Azfar, Mr. Jim
Griffin (USAID) and Dr. Annie Begum (World Health Organization) look on
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Ms. Munira Qarzida (AMA, Logar Province) reads from the Quran at the start
of the Congress
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Ms. Linda Barnes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and Ms.
Sabera Turkmani (ACCESS)
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During the two-day Congress, sessions were conducted on preventing postpartum
hemorrhage (the major cause of maternal death in Afghanistan), as well as achieving success as a new
midwife, increasing respect for the profession of midwifery, and promoting financial
sustainability for the association.
Midwife Ms. Rona Azamyar also spoke to association members about the International
Day of the Midwife, which is celebrated throughout the world on 5 May. This year's theme, "The
World Needs Midwives Now More than Ever," is especially relevant in Afghanistan, where only
14% of births are attended by a skilled birth attendant. The midwives planned events throughout
the country to mark the day.
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A panel discusses an issue of importance
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Midwives listen to the presentations
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One of the posters on display, prepared by midwifery
school students for a poster contest
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Local children sing the national anthem
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To recognize the support that the association has received during the year from
the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the MOPH and many NGOs, Ms.
Azfar presented awards to: Mr. Jim Griffin (Senior Health Advisor, USAID); Dr. Jeffrey
M. Smith (Country Director, Jhpiego/Afghanistan); Ms. Sheena Currie (Midwifery Advisor,
Jhpiego); Ms. Addie Koster (Midwifery Advisor, Community Midwife Education
Program [Takhar]); and Ms. Anne Richter (Consultant, American College of Nurse-Midwives).
Ms. Azfar also presented an award to His Excellency Dr. Sayed Mohammed Amin Fatimi,
Minister of Public Health, for his outstanding support to the AMA, and expressed the
association's gratitude for the major donations received from USAID and the United Nations
Population Fund to support the Congress.
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Ms. Addie Koster (Community Midwife Education Program [Takhar])
receives an award from Ms. Azfar
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Midwives talk after the Congress
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About ACCESS
The ACCESS Program is the U.S. Agency for International Development’s
global program to improve maternal and newborn health. The ACCESS Program works to expand
coverage, access and use of key maternal and newborn health services across a continuum
of care from the household to the hospital—with the aim of making quality health services
accessible for women and newborns.
Jhpiego implements the program in partnership with Save the
Children, Constella Futures, the Academy for Educational Development, the American
College of Nurse-Midwives and IMA World Health.
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