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COVID-19 and its implications for obstetrics and gynecology practice in Africa
Timothy Abiola Olusesan Oluwasola1, Oluwasomidoyin Olukemi Bello1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan/University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupts essential obstetrics and gynecology services in Africa, impacting maternal health. This necessitates exploring the implications for healthcare provision and personnel redeployment in the region.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Africa faces high maternal morbidity and mortality rates, alongside inadequate gynecological care.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has reached all African nations, posing a significant threat to existing healthcare systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the potential implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on obstetrics and gynecology practices in Africa.
- To highlight the disruption of routine essential services and the need for healthcare personnel redeployment.
Main Methods:
- This study is a discussion-based analysis.
- It explores the potential impacts of COVID-19 on specialized healthcare services in Africa.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 is likely to cause imbalances in healthcare provision for obstetrics and gynecology.
- Disruption of routine services and redeployment of limited health personnel are anticipated.
Conclusions:
- The full impact of COVID-19 on African obstetrics and gynecology practices requires further exploration.
- Urgent consideration is needed for maintaining essential services amidst the pandemic.
Abstract:
Having to cope with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is likely to create imbalances in health care provision in the obstetrics and gynecology practices in Africa where most countries still battle with high rate of maternal morbidities and mortalities as well as poor or inadequate quality gynecological care. COVID-19 has spread to the continents of the world including all African nations since it was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Its impact and implications on the obstetrics and gynecology practice in Africa are yet to be fully explored. Routine essential services are being disrupted; therefore, giving rise to the need to redeploy the already limited health personnel across health services in Africa. This is an attempt to discuss the potential implications for obstetrics and gynecologic practice in Africa.
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