Afghanistan has made considerable progress since 2001. A nationwide  survey conducted in late 2006 found that the IMR had fallen to 129 per  1,000 live births, and the U5MR had fallen to191 per 1,000 live births,  representing a 22 percent and 26 percent decline, respectively, from  the end of 2001. Similarly, prenatal care coverage has increased from  less than 5 percent to 32 percent, and DTP3 coverage has increased from  less than 20 percent to 35 percent between 2003 and 2006.  Administrative data indicate that the number of functioning primary  health care facilities has nearly doubled from 498 in 2001 to more than  936 in 2008. The quality of care in publicly financed facilities also  has increased by about 22 percent from 2004 to 2006.    Despite this progress, much still remains to be done. Although  progress in the health sector is encouraging, it is not sufficient to  ensure that Afghanistan will achieve the Millennium Development Goals  (MDGs). The challenges include revising the content of the BPHS,  rethinking the delivery of the BPHS, securing sustained and predictable  financing, the emerging private sector, shortage of human resources for  health, and the building the capacity of the ministry to enable it  effectively carry out its stewardship functions.    The volume presents specific policy options for the MOPH to consider  to further build on the early gains made in the health sector. The  guiding principles of these options are consistency with the  Ministry’s vision and feasibility on implementation. These policy options tell a story with the central theme of expanding service  coverage and what the Ministry needs to do to make that happen.

Building on Early Gains in Afghanistan's Health, Nutrition, and Population Sector: Challenges and Options (Directions in Development) PDF

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