Evidence

The COVID-19 Pandemic placed parts of the public health system, such as healthcare services for women and children, at increased risk of reduced efficiency. This in turn has the potential to reverse the progress achieved over the years in reducing maternal and child mortality. This study attempts to assess the indirect effect of the pandemic on MNCH services in public health facilities. It finds coverage reduced across all maternal and child health interventions with a reduction of 2.26 % in number of institutional deliveries. Antenatal care services were the worst affected with 22.91% decline. Immunization services also decreased dramatically by more than 20%. The response of the public healthcare delivery system to COVID-19 is negatively impacting both the provision and utilization of maternal and child healthcare services. It is deterrent to the progress achieved in maternal and child health parameters over the years. Better response strategies need to be put in place to minimize lag in service delivery. This study could be useful for program implementers. Click here to read the study.