Afghanistan suffers from one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world with 1,900 deaths per 100,000 live births. As part of its activities at EXPO 2005 to raise awareness on safe motherhood, two representatives from the United Medical Center for Afghanistan/Rehabilitation Program for Afghanistan (UMCA/RPA) participated in the JOICFP booth and gave workshops at the expo from 26th to 29th May.

Explaining to the public the realities of life in Afghanistan

Abdul Babakarkhil, Director, and Sardar Ali, Program Officer, UMCA/RPA, gave workshops and talks to the public outlining the health and daily situation in Afghanistan. This was a rare opportunity for people to hear first hand about life in that country, and drew a lot of attention.

From 30th May, the two visitors started a series of meetings with health organizations such as the Shizuoka Health Service Association, the Japan Association of Parasite Control, the Tokyo Health Service Association and the Japan Family Planning Association.

They also paid courtesy calls to the shipping line NYK, who support marine transportation of reconditioned bicycles to Afghanistan, Kuraray for the 'randoseru' campaign, Itoki Co. a supplier of office furnitures, and Information Service International Dentsu (ISID) for donation of office furniture, and the Janome Sewing Machine Company for reconditioning donated sewing machines.

Informing donors
of how their contributions have been helping
is an important step in sustainability.
Here, the Afghan representatives are at NYK

Integrated approach (IP)

Soil-transmitted helminth infection in Afghanistan is a major problem, with infection rates as high as 80%, and in primary schools as high as 99% in the project areas of Nangahar Province. UMCA/RPA is the only organization in the country that is systematically dealing with the helminth infection at the community level.

Despite cultural barriers, UMCA/RPA has been steadily implementing the helminth control for the past three years, in part encouraged by the post-WWII experiences of Japan in public health that are similar to those of Afghanistan's current situation.

JOICFP's support of UMCA/RPA takes the IP approach, and through the entry level activities of soil-transmitted helminth control, maternal and infant mortality can be addressed. Safe motherhood depends on both technical and practical approaches, and since 90% of the people living in the country have very poor access to basic medical and health services it is imperative to motivate and to assist in organizing communities to improve their own health issues.

Meeting with Mr. Yasuaki Wakui,
President of Kuraray Company