Covid-19 pandemic and effects on maternal and child health

When health care services are disturbed and availability of food is scarce either due to lack of purchasing power or decreased accessibility (due to any crisis /disaster, or in the current COVID -19 pandemic) there is an increase in child and maternal morbidity and mortality. Worldwide efforts are made to mitigate spread of COVID-19 disease and reduce morbidity and mortality from severe acute respiratory syndrome Corona virus 2. As of 20 May 2020 more than 3, 23,000 have died from COVID-19 and various studies show that millions will die in future. Due to the worldwide lockdown and fear of acquiring COVID-19 diseases, most of the individual stopped seeking health care. Further, government orders of staying at home leads to reduced purchasing power and inability to pay for health care services. Overcoming the negative impacts of the pandemic will require focus on maternal and child interventions even with the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Continued provision and implementation of these interventions is essential to save maternal and child lives.