KABUL, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan continues to face one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with an estimated 600 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), local media outlet TOLOnews reported on Monday.

According to the report, access to skilled healthcare services and the presence of female health workers remain crucial to saving the lives of mothers and newborns across the country.

Despite ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services, limited access to maternal care continues to pose a significant challenge, particularly in remote and underserved areas where shortages of trained medical personnel and healthcare facilities persist, the report said.

According to the OCHA, inadequate maternal healthcare services leave many women vulnerable to preventable complications during pregnancy and childbirth, contributing to the country's high mortality rate.

The agency underscored the need to strengthen healthcare systems and expand access to essential maternal and newborn care, stressing that improved healthcare services are key to reducing preventable deaths and enhancing public health outcomes in Afghanistan. ■