Millions of pregnant mothers and babies born during COVID-19 pandemic threatened by strained health systems and disruptions in services

By UNICEF

This press release highlights the disruptions being caused by COVID-19 to maternal and neonatal services in South Asian countries including Pakistan and Afghanistan, in part because of lack of sufficient  skilled birth attendants.  UNICEF's calls on governments and donors to maintain life-saving services for pregnant women and newborns, including ensuring health workers are provided with the necessary personal protective equipment and get priority testing and vaccination once a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available so that can deliver high quality care to all pregnant women and newborn babies during the pandemic