Having skilled personnel is the cornerstone of a healthcare system in any nation. In Afghanistan, the health system has endured years of instability, and is confronted by serious challenges in ensuring adequate and proficient workforce. The departure of educated and skilled Afghan personnel, coupled with a lack of emphasis on training, has severely undermined the quality of health services..In response, UNFPA, UNHCR, and IOM in Iran have focused their efforts towards enhancing the capabilities of Afghan midwives and nurses. Collaborating closely with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) in Iran, the endeavor seeks to fortify the competence of Afghan healthcare professionals.

On August 27th, 2023, a momentous agreement signing took place, with the presence of Mr. Kazemi Qomi, the Special Representative of Iran to Afghanistan; Dr. Abolfazl Bagherifard, Deputy Minister for Education at MoHME; Mr. Stephan Priesner, UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Iran; and Dr. Sathya Doraiswamy, UNFPA Representative. The agreement solidifies the commitment between UNFPA and the Ministry of Higher Health and Medical Education to train and upskill 50 Afghan midwives as well as 50 nurses.

This collaborative initiative involves the collaboration of MoHME, the National Centre for Health Vocational and Education Training, as well as UNFPA, UNHCR, and IOM. Mr. Kazemi Qomi, the Special Representative of Iran to Afghanistan, and Mr. Stephan Priesner, UNRC in Iran, both underscored the project's significance, highlighting its contribution to regional humanitarian efforts and affirming the caliber of medical education Iran offers.

Dr. Sathya Doraiswamy, UNFPA Representative, emphasized the project's collaborative nature, underlining the synergy between the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran represented by MoHME, UN agencies (UNFPA, IOM, UNHCR), and the Afghan community of midwives and nurses. This initiative aims to empower local Afghan midwives and nurses who, upon completing the training, will be better skilled to serve their communities.

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Minister of Health and Medical Education commended Iran's enhanced capacity in graduating both degree-based and certified midwives and nurses. Currently, Iran supports the education of around 1,171 Afghan students across diverse medical fields, with 65 per cent of them are female students. Iran's burgeoning medical education domain encompasses around 400 fields, including 150 that nurture highly specialized professionals.

Within the framework of our mutually agreed project, the Government of Iran will play a pivotal role in identifying and supporting 100 Afghan professionals residing in Iran, including 50 midwives and 50 nurses. Subsequently, the National Centre for Health Vocational and Education Training will administer an intensive refresher training program spanning 2-4 months. The primary objective of this initiative is to equip these individuals with updated knowledge and enhanced skills, thereby bolstering their opportunities for future employment and contributing to the pursuit of lasting solutions

In the long run, it is hoped that this partnership will contribute to the sustained empowerment and increased proficiency among Afghan healthcare professionals, with better health services made available for the communities. This will certainly reflect positively on the wellbeing of women and enhance their maternal health services . s The initiative also highlights the significance of cross-border and regional humanitarian collaboration for Afghanistan's healthcare advancement and stability.

This collective effort resonates as a testament to the positive impact of international collaboration in the pursuit of better healthcare and a brighter future for Afghan midwives and nurses.