Coronavirus can wipe out health care progress in short order, says WHO

More than 90 percent of countries have seen ordinary health services disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with major gains in medical care attained over decades vulnerable to being wiped out in a short period, a World Health Organization survey showed.

The Geneva-based body has frequently warned about other life-saving programs being impacted by the pandemic and has sent countries mitigation advice, but the survey yielded the first WHO data so far on the scale of disruptions.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on essential health services is a source of great concern,” said a report on the study released on Monday. “Major health gains achieved over the past two decades can be wiped out in a short period of time...”

Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.

The survey includes responses from between May and July from more than 100 countries. Among the most affected services were routine immunizations (70 percent), family planning (68 percent) and cancer diagnosis and treatment (55 percent), while emergency services were disturbed in almost a quarter of responding countries.

The Eastern Mediterranean Region, which includes Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen, was most affected followed by the African and Southeast Asian regions, it showed. The Americas was not part of the survey.

For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

Since COVID-19 cases were first identified in December last year, the virus is thought to have killed nearly 850,000 people, the latest Reuters tally showed.

Researchers think that non-COVID deaths have also increased in some places due partly to health service disruptions, although these may be harder to calculate.

A file photo shows medical workers tend to a patient suffering from the coronavirus disease in the Intensive Care Unit at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash hospital, in New Delhi, India. (Reuters)

Read more:

Coronavirus: FDA commissioner says willing to fast-track COVID-19 vaccine

WHO recommends testing of all suspected COVID-19 cases for effective containment

The WHO survey said it was “reasonable to anticipate that even a modest disruption in essential health services could lead to an increase in morbidity and mortality from causes other than COVID-19 in the short to medium and long-term.” Further research was needed.

It also warned that the disruptions could be felt even after the pandemic ends. “The impact may be felt beyond the immediate pandemic as, in trying to catch up on services, countries may find that resources are overwhelmed.”