Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the availability of maternal and child health products and childhood vaccines

Abstract

Background In many low- and middle-income countries, the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has challenged efforts to ensure access to and availability of quality maternal, newborn, and child health (MCH) services and essential MCH commodities. Objectives This study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the availability of maternal and child health products and childhood vaccines at selected health facilities in Ethiopia. Methods We have prospectively assessed 28 maternal–child health products and 14 childhood vaccines and accessories, which are listed in the Ethiopian national essential medicines list. Data were collected from 5 hospitals located in the Jimma zone of Oromia regional state in the southwestern part of Ethiopia. We extracted data on drug availability, and order fill rates for these pharmaceutical products between May 2019 and August 2020. Results The overall mean availability of selected maternal and child health products was 43.2%. It was 52.9% (range 21.0–63.6%) prior COVID-19 and 42.6% (range 19–56.4) during COVID-19 time. The average monthly orders fill rates of hospitals for the selected products ranged from 39 to 79%. Before COVID-19 the average order fill rate was near 70% of total orders placed by the hospitals. However, immediately after the COVID-19 case notification in Ethiopia, the percentage of order filled correctly in items and quantities began decreasing. Conclusion This study illustrates that the availability of key essential medicines for maternal and child health in the study area was low. The overall stock-out situation of MCH products has worsened during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic. None of the surveyed MCH products met the ideal availability benchmark of 80% in the public hospitals. To allow governments to guarantee these products are constantly available and affordable, a variety of policy frameworks and choices addressing inevitable epidemics should exist.

Assessing System Performance of Maternal and Child Health Care During Covid-19 Pandemic in Community Health Center- Comoro Dili Timor-Leste

“…The overall stock-out situation of MCH products has worsened during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic. [42]…”

“…The overall stock-out situation of MCH products has worsened during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic. [42] Therefore, to ensure that stock outs of medicines and health products do not occur in the future, it is necessary to provide capacity development regarding supply chain management training to staff holding pharmaceutical units. Delivery of drugs and other products between consumers should be through rationalized prescriptions by medical personnel, so that recommended interventions can be used judiciously.…”

Assessing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Maternal and Child Health Services: A Comprehensive Analysis of Government Initiatives in Northern India

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide by disrupting essential health services and exacerbating existing health inequities [ 1 , 2 ]. Among the most vulnerable populations affected by the pandemic are pregnant women and children, who rely on routine maternal and child health (MCH) services for safe childbirth, antenatal care, immunization, and early childhood development [ 3 , 4 ]. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India, where maternal and child mortality rates remain high, the pandemic threatens to reverse decades of progress in improving maternal and child health outcomes [ 5 , 6 ].…”