Roadmap needed to provide health services

Experts say Covid-19 can have severe impacts on maternal mortality

ISLAMABAD:

With the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic placing immense stress on the health systems of the country, it may lead to higher infant and maternal mortality. To navigate this, a roadmap is needed to ensure service delivery to expectant mothers.

This was discussed during a virtual, consultative session organised by the Health Service Academy Islamabad in collaboration with the Research and Development Forum for Safe Motherhood.

“Estimates published in The Lancet July 2020, Covid-19 may lead to 31% increase in infant and maternal mortality in 12 months in Pakistan if health services remain halted,” said Dr Shahzad Khan, head of the Public Health Department at the Islamabad Health Service Academy. Research and Development Forum for Safe Motherhood CEO Dr Amanullah Khan said that it was expected that mother and child health services will be compromised as Covid-19 puts an unprecedented strain on the health systems of the country.

However, it will be important to make a roadmap for the provision of uncompromised health services to expecting mothers, newborns and children to sustain the slow but gradual decline in infant and maternal mortality rate achieved over the past decades.

Dr Shahzad presented a framework on the provision of mother and child health services during and post Covid-19. He explained that the federal government and private organizations have developed and disseminated guidelines and protocols on addressing services delivery challenges during the pandemic.

Dr Nabeela Ali, the country representative of JSI Inc, said that limited health services are being made available at the grassroots in all provinces. However, she recommended that the Health Services director-general in the respective provinces should take the lead in ensuring health services to women and children. The pandemic has also impacted family planning services, said Dr Yasmeen Qazi of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2020.