Bayat Foundation inaugurates construction of Gawhartaj Bayat maternity hospital in Afghanistan

The lack of adequate health care facilities in the country contributes to many infants and new mothers not surviving past their first year.

In a country that leads in infant mortality rates, the Bayat Foundation inaugurated the construction of a maternity hospital in a ceremony with local officials. Named "Gawhartaj Bayat", this much needed facility will accommodate space for 20 beds, a pharmacy, laboratory, and include modern equipment. The project is scheduled to be complete and open for care by October 1, 2010 in Gardez, the capital of the southeast province of Paktia in Afghanistan.

According to World Health Statistics released in 2009, Afghanistan has the highest infant mortality rate among member states (165 per 1,000) and exceeds all regional averages in neonatal and maternal mortality ratios. The addition of a maternity hospital will give expecting mothers a convenient and clinical setting to receive care and reduce complications. Currently, there is nowhere else in the area that specializes in pre-natal needs or labor and delivery.

"Children are the future of Afghanistan," said Ehsan Bayat, Chairman of the Bayat Foundation, "By having a place like this maternity hospital that will focus on the health of mothers and their newborns, our families can flourish and the country can look forward to a brighter future where every child born can live a longer life."

The non-governmental arm of the Bayat Foundation has established five other similar operations in Afghanistan that treated over 116,500 patients in 2009. Other locations include the Saleha Bayat Hospital in Mazar-E-Sharif accommodating 150 beds, Maryam Bayat Hospital in Faryab accommodating 50 beds, Zahra Bayat Maternity Hospital in Daikundi accommodating 50 beds, Fatema Bayat Hospital in Tora Bora accommodating 20 beds, and Bayat Clinic in Sar-E-Pul accommodating 10 beds.