A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health Journal has shed light on the devastating impact that pandemic-related health system failures have had on maternal deaths and stillbirths worldwide. This report, analyzing 40 studies from a wide breadth of countries including Brazil, Mexico, the US, Canada, the U.K., Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, India, China, and Nepal, has brought attention to the steep increases in these tragic occurrences.
Global Scenario: Rising Maternal and Infant Deaths
In a sobering reflection of the global situation, statistics reveal a 28% increase in the likelihood of stillbirth, with the risk of mothers dying during pregnancy or childbirth surging by one-third. The disruption incited by the COVID-19 pandemic led to many avoidable fatalities among mothers and newborns. Concurrently, maternal depression also saw a considerable rise.
Poor Countries Bore the Brunt
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was felt disproportionately in lower-income countries with less robust health infrastructures, exacerbating already stretched resources and highlighting systemic gaps.
Marginalised Groups Suffered Severely
The pandemic’s detrimental consequence was particularly noticeable among marginalized groups. Hospital deliveries in Nepal, for instance, significantly dipped among disadvantaged cohorts. Simultaneously, in the UK, the first wave of the pandemic saw 88% of pregnant women who lost their lives hailing from black and minority ethnic groups.
Indian Scenario: A Disturbing Downward Trend
India, during its national lockdown from April to June 2020, experienced a decrease in antenatal care with a 27% drop in pregnant women receiving four or more check-ups compared to the same period in 2019. Concurrently, institutional deliveries witnessed a 28% decline, and prenatal services were down by 22%.
Identifying the Causes: Gaps in Healthcare and Societal Shifts
Unraveling the causes behind this worrisome development revealed dual, intertwined factors. The overstretched health system’s inefficiency, coupled with an inability to adjust to pandemic-induced pressures, led to reduced care access. Simultaneously, broader societal changes contributed to maternal health deterioration, including increasing domestic violence rates, job losses, and added care responsibilities due to school closures.
Urgent Strategies Needed for Safe Maternity Care
Policy makers and healthcare leaders are pressed to investigate and implement effective strategies urgently to ensure safe and respectful maternity care, even amidst a global emergency. Immediate action is needed to prevent rolling back decades of investment in reducing mother and infant mortality in low-resource settings.
Don’t Redeploy Maternity Services Personnel
Healthcare professionals specializing in maternity services should not be redeployed for other critical and medical care during the pandemic or any future health system shocks.
Indian Initiatives for Mother and Child Health
In response to the crisis, India has launched several initiatives aimed at improving mother and child health. These include the LaQshya program, the Safe Motherhood Assurance (SUMAN) initiative, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Mission Indradhanush, Poshan Abhiyan, and the Mother and Child Protection Card.