Direct and indirect effects of the covid-19 pandemic and response in South Asia

Re-establishing essential maternal and child health services

In addition to dealing with the direct effects of COVID-19, there is a critical need to address the much larger

and longer-term fallout from the indirect effects of the pandemic. According to our estimates, additional

~230,000 child, and ~11,000 maternal deaths will occur in South Asia in 2020 alone, as a result of coverage disruption of essential SRMNCH services due to the COVID-19 pandemic and response. This number

(> 240,000 maternal and child deaths) is far higher than the COVID-19 deaths observed and expected (< 200,000 by Dec 1, 2020) if no additional mitigation strategies are instituted in the region this year. Furthermore, even if coverage of essential services improves to pre-COVID-19 levels or better, some deficits such as fewer facility births or treatment for diarrhea and pneumonia are opportunities lost for good.

© UNICEF/Bangladesh/UN0353739/Paul/2020