SHIBERGHAN (PAN): The minister for public health believes the graduation of midwives in Jawzjan will lead to a decrease in child and mother mortality in the Northern Province.

Dr. Sayed Muhammad Amin Fatimie awarded graduation certificates to 31 midwives at a ceremony in Shiberghan on Sunday. He urged the midwives to pay special attention to preventing child and mother mortality in the province.

The minister revealed Jawzjan was one of Afghanistan's seven provinces which would be fully equipped with medical facilities till 2014 to provide health services to the people. His ministry will establish a health services foundation in five years.

Jawzjan health Director Dr. Abdul Sattar Paigham told Pajhwok Afghan News the midwives completed 18 months of training financed by the USAID.  He said 16 midwives were from Jawzjan and 15 from neighboring Faryab province. They will be employed in provincial capitals and 10 districts of the two provinces.

One midwife named Fahima said she would use her knowledge in serving mothers and children in rural areas. "I have a huge responsibility on my shoulders, because most of the treatment in rural areas is traditional and unhygienic."

mnm/mud