disaster
WHO and partners expand access to lifesaving health services in Pengani, a remote village in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan Province
By World Health Organization at ReliefWeb
· June 17, 2026
· 3 min read
. A pregnant woman who had been attending regular antenatal care at the Centre had gone into labour early in the morning. In a remote and mountainous area like Pengani, timely care can make all the difference. “I recognized her voice immediately,” Sohaila said. “She had trusted the Health Centre thr
Key takeaway “I recognized her voice immediately,” Sohaila said.
Why this matters
The expansion of lifesaving health services in Pengani, a remote village in Afghanistan's Badakhshan Province, highlights the critical need for accessible healthcare in rural and hard-to-reach areas. With one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the region, Afghanistan's challenges in providing skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care are longstanding. The Pengani Sub Health Centre's success in treating severe acute malnutrition in children and providing essential services to over 8000 people demonstrates the impact of targeted interventions. The Centre's ability to provide routine immunization, mental health support, and access to essential medicines also underscores the importance of comprehensive healthcare services. As the Centre continues to provide care to around 120 patients daily, its support from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund is crucial in sustaining these efforts. The Centre's work has significant implications for reducing maternal and child mortality rates in Afghanistan, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 17, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . A pregnant woman who had been attending regular antenatal care at the Centre had gone into labour early in the morning. In a remote and mountainous area like Pengani, timely care can make all the difference. “I recognized her voice immediately,” Sohaila said. “She had trusted the Health Centre thr
When was this published? This article was first published on June 17, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by World Health Organization at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .