The World Health Organization (WHO) published a first indicative survey on the impact of COVID-19 on health systems based on 105 countries’ reports.
The survey illustrated that almost every country (90%) experienced disruption to its health services, with low- and middle-income countries reporting the greatest difficulties.
Most countries reported that many routine and elective services have been suspended, while critical care like cancer screening, HIV therapy has seen high-risk interruptions in low-income countries.
The most frequently disrupted areas due to #COVID19 include:
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) August 31, 2020
-routine immunization
-NCD diagnosis & treatment
-family planning & contraception
-treatment for mental health disorders
–#cancer diagnosis & treatment
-malaria diagnosis & treatment
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Due to #COVID19 potentially life-saving emergency services were disrupted in almost 25% of responding countries with:
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) August 31, 2020
-disruptions to 24H emergency room services affecting 22%
-urgent blood transfusions disrupted in 23%
-emergency surgery affected in 19%
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Many countries started to implement strategies to mitigate #COVID19 service disruptions:
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) August 31, 2020
-triaging to identify priorities
-shifting to online patient consultations
-changes to prescribing practices & supply chain
-public health information strategies
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“The survey shines a light on the cracks in our health systems, but it also serves to inform new strategies to improve healthcare provision during the pandemic and beyond. COVID-19 should be a lesson to all countries that health is not an ‘either-or’ equation,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
