21 January 2025, Kabul, Afghanistan – In the rugged beauty of Ghor province, western Afghanistan, lies a story of hope and transformation. For 24-year-old Gul Chehra, who lives in a remote village in Shahrak district, motherhood once meant fear and uncertainty. The isolation of her village, tucked amid snow-capped mountains and accessible only by a three-hour drive through rough terrain and the Harirod river, had long kept essential health services out of reach.
Three years ago, like many women in her community, Gul gave birth to her first child at home, with no medical assistance. “I was terrified,” Gul recalls. “There was no female doctor or midwife, no medicine, no support. The pain and stress were overwhelming.”
But with the opening of the WHO-supported Oshan sub-health centre, funded by European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the reality of childbirth in Gul’s village is beginning to change.
When Gul became pregnant with her second child, her memories of her first delivery filled her with anxiety. “I didn’t want to go through the same ordeal again,” she says. “When I heard about the sub-health centre, I shared my concerns with my mother-in-law, and she agreed to take me there.”
The sub-health centre in Oshan, located just a half-hour walk from her village, provided Gul with regular antenatal checkups and professional care. On the day of her delivery, the experience was entirely different.
“The centre was clean and well-equipped. The staff were kind, supportive and professional. They ensured everything went smoothly,” Gul shares with a smile. “I’m so grateful to them for making the delivery safe and stress-free.”
Oshan sub-health centre serves as a lifeline for over 6500 people across 22 villages. The facility offers a range of essential health services, including outpatient care, antenatal and postnatal care, immunization, nutrition support and mental health services. Equipped with delivery kits, emergency supplies and committed health care workers, the centre has become a beacon of hope for families like Gul’s.
While the centre has significantly reduced the need for dangerous and lengthy journeys to the provincial capital, challenges persist. The vast catchment area means some families still have to walk for hours to access care. Yet, the centre stands as a testament to what is possible when communities, health workers and partners unite for a common cause.
“The Oshan sub-health centre is more than just a health facility; it’s a place where dignity is restored and the lives of all Afghans, especially women and children, are saved,” says Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador, WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Afghanistan.
“Our support to this facility reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that women, no matter where they live, have the right to a safe and supported delivery. Together with our partners, we are building pathways to health, hope and a better future for all.”
WHO Afghanistan extends its gratitude to ECHO for their generous support. Their contribution has been instrumental in ensuring that lifesaving services at the Oshan sub-health centre are available to the communities who need them most.
