UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) today [Jan. 26, 2009]held a joint press conference in Afghanistan to draw attention to the high rate of maternal mortality in that country -- where Afghan women have a 1 in 8 chance of dying from pregnancy-related complications in their lifetime.

WHO says that 1,600 women die for every 100,000 births in Afghanistan, with excessive bleeding the primary cause of death. The agencies stressed the importance of increasing the number of skilled midwives, providing better nutrition...among other measures....