Dr. Fatima Rahmani

Dr. Fatima Rahmani is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Rabia Balkhi Hospital in Kabul — Afghanistan's largest dedicated maternity hospital and a landmark institution for Afghan women's healthcare. With 14 years of obstetric and gynecologic practice, Dr. Rahmani provides essential maternal healthcare in one of the world's most challenging environments for women's health.

Afghanistan has one of the world's highest maternal mortality ratios, reflecting barriers to accessing skilled obstetric care — particularly in rural areas — as well as inadequate antenatal care uptake, early marriage and closely spaced pregnancies, and limited availability of emergency obstetric care. Rabia Balkhi Hospital in Kabul serves as a major referral center for obstetric emergencies from the capital and surrounding provinces.

Dr. Rahmani's clinical practice focuses on the obstetric emergencies that drive Afghanistan's maternal mortality: postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia, obstructed labor, and obstetric sepsis. She is trained in comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC) protocols including emergency cesarean section, manual removal of placenta, and management of uterine rupture.

Obstetric fistula — a devastating complication of prolonged obstructed labor with almost no occurrence in countries with accessible emergency obstetric care — remains present in Afghanistan. Dr. Rahmani identifies women with obstetric fistula and coordinates referral for surgical repair.

Dr. Rahmani's dedication to Afghan women's health under extremely difficult conditions makes her one of Afghanistan's most important healthcare providers. She communicates in Dari and Pashto.

Dr. Rahmani obtained her MD from Kabul University Medical Faculty and completed Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Rabia Balkhi Hospital, Kabul. She holds the Diploma in Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGO) and has completed comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC) training through UNFPA Afghanistan and WHO-supported programs. She has participated in obstetric fistula care and referral training and postpartum hemorrhage management programs supported by international organizations.

Dr. Rahmani provides emergency and elective obstetric and gynecologic care. In emergency obstetrics, she manages postpartum hemorrhage with uterotonic drugs (oxytocin, misoprostol, carboprost), bimanual compression, balloon tamponade, and surgical hemostasis including B-Lynch suture and hysterectomy when required. She manages eclampsia with magnesium sulfate and antihypertensive therapy. She performs emergency cesarean section for obstructed labor, fetal distress, and other emergency indications. She manages obstetric sepsis with intravenous antibiotics. In antenatal care, she provides comprehensive monitoring for normal and high-risk pregnancies with obstetric ultrasound. She identifies and refers obstetric fistula cases for surgical correction at fistula repair centers.

Dr. Rahmani has contributed clinical data to UNFPA Afghanistan and WHO Afghanistan maternal health assessments. She participates in the Afghan Obstetric and Gynecology Society activities and contributes to maternal mortality review processes. She has participated in national CEmOC training programs as both participant and trainer.

Rabia Balkhi Hospital serves Afghanistan's domestic patient population, primarily Afghan women. Dr. Rahmani provides in-person obstetric and gynecologic consultation in Dari and Pashto.

Dr. Rahmani has been recognized by the Afghan Obstetric and Gynecology Society for her exceptional dedication to maternal healthcare in Afghanistan's challenging circumstances. She has received acknowledgment from UNFPA Afghanistan for her participation in emergency obstetric care training programs.