Members of the Afghanistan Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ASOG) criticized the lack of female doctors in medical expert exams held by the Ministry of Public Health.

They said that the lack of women in the exam will reduce the number of female medical professionals, which will cause an increase in the rate of maternal deaths in the country.

The members of the ASOG voiced concerns a day after the Public Ministry announced on Tuesday that female doctors cannot enroll in the examination of medical experts.

“We will see a catastrophe worse than this some years from now. We will lose many mothers. The maternal mortality rate, for which Afghanistan already has a high number, will increase significantly,” said Najmulsama Shafajo, head of the Afghanistan Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ASOG).

The Public Health Ministry said that the female doctors will be enrolled in the next rounds of the examination.

“We ensure the people and also the medical personnel that this year, in addition to the male doctors, women doctors will also be introduced,” said Sharafat Zaman Amerkhail, a spokesman for the ministry.

Some of the high-profile doctors urged the Islamic Emirate to allow women to participate in these examinations.

“This society needs women in the medical sector. A woman can treat another woman easily. A woman cannot go to a man for treatment. There will be a lot of problems. Everyone knows it, particularly in the Obstetricians and Gynecologists field,” said Khalida Babakarkhail, a doctor.

According to the Public Health Ministry, the number of posts for the examinations of medical experts will be both reduced or increased based on needs.