In a landmark humanitarian initiative, the United Arab Emirates has unveiled a transformative project to establish ten state-of-the-art maternity and paediatric centres across Afghanistan. Guided by the humanitarian vision of the UAE’s founder, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and supported by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, this project aims to address critical healthcare needs while fostering stability, development, and prosperity in Afghanistan.

The maternity clinics are located in Afghan provinces where the need is considered the greatest including Nangarhar, Balkh, Herat, Ghazni, Paktika, Paktia, Kandahar, and Helmand Provinces. Each centre is equipped with 2 specialist beds and has dedicated doctors and nursing staff.

In the coming years, it is estimated that more than 1 lakh 15 thousand women will directly benefit from the services and many hundreds of thousands of relatives and wider communities. With cutting-edge facilities, solar power, satellite-linked stations, mobile clinics, and ambulances, the initiative promises to elevate the quality of life, empower women and children, and strengthen local communities.

The medical centre inthe  Baghbani district of Jalalabad is already busy receiving expectant mothers and those with infants and young children who need medical care and supervision. Before the centre was opened, local families did not receive reliable vaccines because of the lack of supplies and refrigeration.