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 health services in Pengani, a remote village in Afghanistan's Badakhshan Province, highlights the critical role of accessible healthcare in reducing maternal and child mortality. The region's rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions exacerbate the challenges of providing healthcare, making the Pengani Sub Health Centre a vital lifeline for the community. With support from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, the Centre has been able to provide essential services to over 8,000 people, including care for mothers and children, nutrition support, and access to essential medicines. The fact that 12 children with severe acute malnutrition were treated in just two months underscores the Centre's impact on addressing pressing health needs. As Afghanistan continues to grapple with high maternal mortality rates, the success of the Pengani Sub Health Centre serves as a model for expanding access to skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
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
newsletter" aria-label="Newsletter signup" style="margin:24px 0;padding:20px 24px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e3a5f 0%,#2d5a8c 100%);border-radius:10px;color:#fff">
Get more Christgiving stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering disaster and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 .