Pregnancy and Newborn Related Complications: Implication of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Reduction of Antenatal Care in Bangladesh


Authors : Md. Jarif Mahbub

Volume/Issue : Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 6 - June

Google Scholar : https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/9s4jkeyr

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8181213

Abstract : Antenatal care (ANC) has long been considered a very crucial component of the successive care of a pregnant mother during gestation. It reduces the risk of both maternal and neonatal complications and gives assurance to a healthy beginning for the infant. The ANC situation of Bangladesh is quite poor comparing that of the developed nations. The scenario has been further worsened due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.There is a lot of research evidence about the relationship between an increased rate of maternal and child mortality and a reduced number of ANC contacts. Besides, the quality of ANC is not up to the mark in Bangladesh. Since the status of a country’s future generation comprehensively depends on the obstetric population, no compromise should be allowed regarding ANC even in this COVID-19 pandemic. The obstetric population must need special and distinctive considerations in such a pandemic situation because of their diacritic physiological and psychological needs. An efficient and collaborative strategic approach must be taken by obstetric care providing facilities and the government to mitigate the adverse effects of decreased ANC contacts. Such a strategic approach may include enhancing health communication, strengthening the community-based ANC, increasing the collaboration between primary healthcare services and ANC services, provision of telemedicine, mobilizing social resources, etc. COVID-19 has shown the shaky structure of the healthcare system of Bangladesh once again. So, a potential reformation in the healthcare system is highly needed.

Keywords : Antenatal Care, COVID-19, Healthcare System, Maternal Health, Child Mortality.

Antenatal care (ANC) has long been considered a very crucial component of the successive care of a pregnant mother during gestation. It reduces the risk of both maternal and neonatal complications and gives assurance to a healthy beginning for the infant. The ANC situation of Bangladesh is quite poor comparing that of the developed nations. The scenario has been further worsened due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.There is a lot of research evidence about the relationship between an increased rate of maternal and child mortality and a reduced number of ANC contacts. Besides, the quality of ANC is not up to the mark in Bangladesh. Since the status of a country’s future generation comprehensively depends on the obstetric population, no compromise should be allowed regarding ANC even in this COVID-19 pandemic. The obstetric population must need special and distinctive considerations in such a pandemic situation because of their diacritic physiological and psychological needs. An efficient and collaborative strategic approach must be taken by obstetric care providing facilities and the government to mitigate the adverse effects of decreased ANC contacts. Such a strategic approach may include enhancing health communication, strengthening the community-based ANC, increasing the collaboration between primary healthcare services and ANC services, provision of telemedicine, mobilizing social resources, etc. COVID-19 has shown the shaky structure of the healthcare system of Bangladesh once again. So, a potential reformation in the healthcare system is highly needed.

Keywords : Antenatal Care, COVID-19, Healthcare System, Maternal Health, Child Mortality.

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