In the most remote corners of Afghanistan, midwives are using digital tools to save lives. 

Since the introduction of the Dari-language Safe Delivery App (SDA) in May 2022, midwives have increasingly turned to this mobile platform as a trusted companion in their daily work. With its clinical guidelines, step-by-step videos, and interactive resources, the App is helping them provide safer care for mothers and newborns even in the most resource-constrained settings. 

In a country where many women still give birth at home or in small community clinics, and where maternal mortality remains among the highest in the world, SDA is more than just an app, it is a lifeline. By putting evidence-based guidance in the hands of midwives, it bridges critical gaps in training, mentorship, and decision-making. 

The following stories illustrate how technology can transform maternal and newborn health in Afghanistan. By empowering midwives with the tools they need, the SDA is helping to prevent deaths, reduce complications, and ensure that every woman and newborn has a safer start to life. 

A midwife’s lifeline in Kandahar

At a UNFPA-supported Family Health House in Maiwand district, Kandahar, midwife Freshta was caring for Kafia, a 35-year-old expectant mother. With five previous births and a history of heavy bleeding, Kafia’s labour carried serious risks.  “I reviewed the treatment for postpartum hemorrhage using the App,” Freshta explained. “It reminded me how to manage the condition and to prepare the necessary medicines before delivery.”  When Kafia delivered her baby boy, weighing three kilograms, Freshta was ready. Both mother and child remained healthy, and a potentially life-threatening complication was averted. 

Guiding families in Kapisa

In the Kapisa province, midwifery mentor Parween faced another critical moment when a mother arrived with a premature newborn weighing just 1.1 kilograms. Recognizing the urgency, Parween consulted the SDA to review guidance on Kangaroo Mother Care. She showed the family videos from the App, demonstrating how such fragile babies can be safely cared for.  “At first the family resisted transferring the baby to a hospital,” she recalled. “But the App’s videos convinced them.”  Later, at the provincial hospital, Parween was reunited with the family. The baby had gained weight, stabilised, and was thriving. “They told me that the advice saved their child’s life,” she said. “The SDA  is like a reliable friend, always there when I need it.”