The effects of the covid pandemic on pregnant women and new mothers are usually higher. Higher covid infection rates in the country have reduced people’s access to treatment for other diseases. The outbreak of dengue fever has made the crisis even more austere. The fact that many hospitals in the country are dedicated to the treatment of covid and dengue has reduced the chances of treatment for pregnant women and new mothers. Pregnant mothers have to be under regular treatment and tests. Similarly, regular medical care of a mother and her child is important. Just as many people are staying out of the test at the right time for fear of infection, so many people are going to the hospital for tests and getting infected with the virus. Some are losing their unborn babies while others are giving birth prematurely. Many are also getting infected and dying.
This situation has led to family crises and dire straits in the field of maternal healthcare. According to media reports, in the last three months alone, 12 mothers died in Dhaka Medical College Hospital due to covid. It is easy to realise how fragile the situation is across the country. Due to the existing situation, the opportunities for treatment of pregnant women and new mothers in the hospital have been reduced. Bangladesh’s success in reducing infant and maternal mortality rates may be tarnished by the covid pandemic. In the current situation, it is important to make arrangements for regular treatment of pregnant women and mothers with special plans for their treatment. For this, every hospital needs to set up a specialised unit for their treatment in the gynaecology ward only. Pregnant women and new mothers who are affected with covid should also be treated separately. At the same time, it is important to plan to bring them under special care.
Studies have shown that vaccination of pregnant and lactating women does not cause any problems but reduces the risk. Even a mother who breastfeeds her baby gets a lot of protection when she gets vaccinated. In the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and several other countries, no side effects have been reported. Bangladesh’s public health experts and gynaecologists are also expressing their views in favour of it. Obstetricians at the National Vaccine Advisory Committee also say pregnant women and lactating mothers are at a greater risk of serious illness or even death due to covid infections. Therefore, it is important to bring them under the vaccination programme on a priority basis. It is important to create special safeguards for pregnant lactating women at families, hospitals and, in fact, everywhere. Pregnancy or maternity and neonatal care is extremely sensitive. If this service is not ensured in time, everyone’s risk is multiplied. Immediate action must be taken to overcome the crisis that the epidemic has created in the field of maternal health. Our goal is to ensure universal healthcare by 2030. In order to protect maternal health, special care must be ensured during this disaster. Everyone must be brought under the life-saving programme.
