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ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that people in 90 percent of countries have faced disruptions in essential health services since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
In its survey ‘Rapid assessment of the continuity of essential health services during the Covid-19 pandemic’, the WHO said that low- and middle-income countries had reported the greatest difficulties.
“Most countries reported that many routine and elective services have been discontinued, while critical care, such as cancer detection and treatment and HIV therapy, has experienced high-risk interruptions in low-income countries. “he said in a statement.
WHO said the survey was conducted in 159 countries (all WHO regions except the Americas); 105 responses (66% response rate) were received from senior health ministry officials covering the period from March to June 2020.
WHO says low- and middle-income nations experienced greater difficulties
The purpose of the survey was to gain knowledge and perspectives on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on up to 25 essential health services in countries and how states are adopting strategies to maintain essential services, he said.
“The survey sheds light on the gaps in our health systems, but it also serves to inform new strategies to improve health care delivery during the pandemic and beyond,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Posted in Dawn, Sep 1, 2020
