Introduction

The global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has had an immense and far-reaching impact on the world in 2020, affecting human health, economies, and all aspects of our lives. The pandemic has caused both immediate and long-term disruptions to health systems in both lower and high-income countries, particularly in humanitarian and protracted crisis settings. One of the vulnerable populations that have been adversely impacted by the pandemic has been pregnant mothers, newborns, and children in such settings. In order to ensure that the sustainability development goal (SDG) targets for maternal, newborn, and child health (MNH) are achieved and perinatal mortality is reduced, accelerated action is urgently required.

SDG Targets for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health

The SDG targets have been set out to ensure that mothers, newborns, and children have access to quality and timely health care. The SDGs aim to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. This target also seeks to reduce infant mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births. The SDGs also strive to provide quality health care and reduce neonatal mortality and stillbirth rates to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and 10 per 1,000 total births by 2030 respectively.

Impact of COVID-19 on Perinatal Mortality

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in humanitarian and protracted crisis settings has led to disruption in healthcare systems, which has adversely affected the health of breastfeeding mothers, newborns, and children. This has directly impacted the level of access to MNH services, such as antenatal care and skilled birth attendance, increasing the risk of prolonged pregnancy, and consequently perinatal mortality. The outbreak has also caused shortages in essential supplies such as oxygen, antibiotics, antimalarials, essential equipment, and human resources, further complicating the delivery of services and further increasing the risk of perinatal mortality.

Conclusion

Through the combined efforts of governments, international organizations, public health professionals, and the global community, it is possible to intervene and accelerate the efforts to reduce perinatal mortality and achieve the SDG targets for maternal, newborn, and child health in developing countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This will require concerted efforts to restore the disrupted health systems in humanitarian and protracted crisis settings.

Source