Second Congress of Afghan Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists held in Kabul
January 2008
 Outgoing AFSOG President Dr. Maroof Sameh opens the congress; Jhpiego Medical Director Dr. Harshad Sanghvi is the third presenter to his left
More than 153 participants from across Afghanistan attended the Second Congress of the Afghan Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AFSOG) in Kabul in early December
2007.
With technical assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded
Health Services Support Project (HSSP)—a 4-year USAID Associate Award under the ACCESS Leader Award—and the leadership of the Ministry of Public Health, the society is revitalizing itself, with a growing membership of 150 members and a commitment to professionally supporting practicing obstetricians and gynecologists. The Congress was made possible through support from USAID,
the United Nations Population Fund and the Afghan Family Guidance Association.
Members were enthusiastic, citing the importance of such gatherings of professionals. “These occasions give us the opportunity to learn of evidence-based practices and how to manage women with complications at the hospital referral level,” said Dr. Aziza Uosef, Head of the
Obstetric Unit at Malalai Hospital.
Formed in 2002, the society was admitted to the International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO), linking it with the international community of gynecologists and obstetricians. However, a lack of sustained commitment meant AFSOG had become inactive and had not held a congress since its inauguration.
In addition to supporting this congress, HSSP will offer members refresher training courses in such critical areas as emergency obstetric care, and help them meet their objective of promoting excellence in practice through leadership, continuing education and standards development.
AFSOG’s outgoing President—Dr. Maroof Sameh, Head of the Obstetric Unit of Kabul’s Rabia Balkhi
Maternity Hospital—opened the Congress with the society’s aims: to promote and strengthen the obstetric and gynecology profession, and the role of obstetricians and gynecologists in ensuring the wellbeing of women and families in Afghanistan.
Presentations emphasized the potential to reduce maternal death with evidence-based interventions, and the importance of obstetricians, gynecologists and midwives working together to improve maternal and newborn health in Afghanistan. Members also agreed upon a new constitution and elected the next President, Dr. Nasrin Horia Khail, Director of Kabul’s Malalai Maternity Hospital, unanimously.
Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world—1,700 for every 100,000 live births—with a lifetime risk of 1 in 6 women dying from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth. The presence of skilled birth attendants (midwives, obstetricians, doctors or nurses with midwifery skills) could save many of these lives. The majority of women deliver without the presence of a skilled attendant and there is a national shortage of skilled providers, including obstetricians.
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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