Japanese obstetrician leaves for Afghanistan+

NARITA, Japan, Oct. 5 Kyodo - A Japanese obstetrician and gynecologist left for Afghanistan on Sunday to assist in childbirths and offer advice to expectant mothers in the war-torncountry.

Makiko Kikuchi, a 34-year-old ob-gyn of the Japanese Red Cross Society, will
work for five months in a hospital in Kandahar. She will also try to improve
the quality of medical services there by replenishing the medical equipment.
''I know the local security situation is poor and the natural environment is
also tough, but I'd like to do my best so I can be of help to local people if
only a little,'' Kikuchi told reporters shortly before her departure from
Narita airport, east of Tokyo.
According to the Red Cross society, the security conditions in the area where
Kikuchi will work have improved, but there have been reports of sporadic terror
attacks and combat in nearby regions.
The local mortality rates of infants and expectant mothers are extremely high
due to poor sanitary conditions, society officials said.