KABUL, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan maternity-related death toll has reduced to 396 in 100,000 live births in 2015 from 1,600 in 100,000 live births in 2002, an official said on Saturday.
Afghan Public Health Minister Firuzuddin Firuz, addressing a ceremony marking the World Health Day, said that the number of death of the children under five is also reduced to 55 in 1,000 live births from 257 in each 1,000 live births in 2002.
The minister urged the authorities to impose high tax on the imports of goods harmful for health.
He said only 5 U.S. dollars was allocated for one Afghan to access health services each year, the lowest sum compared to other countries.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rich Peppercorn, country representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) praised Afghanistan's development in health sector and said that the organization would work with the war-torn country to expand quality health services to the country's remote areas.
