The thoughtful and disturbing documentary Motherland Afghanistan (2007) provides important revelations about the treatment of womens' health issues in Afghanistan and the vital need for more intensive support for the medical care of women and babies in that nation. At the time of the filming, Afghanistan suffered from the second highest infant mortality figures in the world. An estimated 100,000 Afghan women endured fistulas, ruptures internally which sometimes involve a loss of bladder control and which may lead to dire consequences during childbirth and married life.
Sedika Mojadidi, the talented director of the film, is a young woman whose family played an important role in Afghanistan for many generations. Her father, an OBGYN specialist, had been blacklisted for political reasons before the Soviet invasion and finally had relocated to the USA. He returned frequently to Afghanistan to assist charitable Islamic agencies working there. The film follows his work in several parts of Afghanistan. Sedika Mojadidi's mother, trained in family medicine, also assisted her husband.
The film poignantly details shocking problems with the health care system for pregnant women and newborn infants in Afghanistan during the first decade of this century. A lack of trained specialists and facilities for the care of premature infants posed a severe problem, as did the limited availability of surgery for women with fistulas. Unfortunately, fistulas and other reproductive health issues threaten the lives of many women and newborn babies in Afghanistan following long years of warfare.
The film shows the pain of a young mother at the death of her two day old baby, born two months too soon in a remote area. It also shows inspiring moments, such as when a young woman's complicated medical surgery, proceeded perfectly and offered her a better quality of life. This documentary addresses very serious issues and in my opinion it really merits wide viewer attention.
Sedika Mojadidi, the talented director of the film, is a young woman whose family played an important role in Afghanistan for many generations. Her father, an OBGYN specialist, had been blacklisted for political reasons before the Soviet invasion and finally had relocated to the USA. He returned frequently to Afghanistan to assist charitable Islamic agencies working there. The film follows his work in several parts of Afghanistan. Sedika Mojadidi's mother, trained in family medicine, also assisted her husband.
The film poignantly details shocking problems with the health care system for pregnant women and newborn infants in Afghanistan during the first decade of this century. A lack of trained specialists and facilities for the care of premature infants posed a severe problem, as did the limited availability of surgery for women with fistulas. Unfortunately, fistulas and other reproductive health issues threaten the lives of many women and newborn babies in Afghanistan following long years of warfare.
The film shows the pain of a young mother at the death of her two day old baby, born two months too soon in a remote area. It also shows inspiring moments, such as when a young woman's complicated medical surgery, proceeded perfectly and offered her a better quality of life. This documentary addresses very serious issues and in my opinion it really merits wide viewer attention.
