Maternal death rates in Afghanistan are down 22% since 2000 thanks to the growing popularity of midwifery training programmes, according to the United Nations Population Fund, or UNFPA.

In Afghanistan, the combined total of midwives, nurses and doctors amounts to less than 1 for every 1,000 people.

The lack of health workers trained in maternal care is compounded by the fact that Afghan women on average have just over five children.

Dr. Laurent Zessler spoke to Jocelyne Sambira about how midwives have been key to saving lives.

Duration: 2'31"