COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we collaborated with partner countries to adapt the way essential health care was delivered and vaccinate people against the virus.
The COVID-19 pandemic was the fastest-moving global public health crisis in a century, threatening decades of progress in maternal, newborn, and child health, voluntary family planning, and reproductive health (MNCH/FP/RH) services. COVID-19’s impact on public health was further exacerbated by the economic impact of social distancing and closed businesses and schools, putting women and children at unintentional risk of poverty, hunger, and gender-based violence. The pandemic also tested the overall resilience of health systems, both in responding to COVID-19 and in providing other essential health services. Many public and private health facilities limited health services due to a lack of skilled health providers and stockouts of medicines, diagnostics, contraceptives, and personal protective equipment.
MOMENTUM reviewed the pandemic’s effects on MNCH/FP/RH services and outcomes, such as immunizations, and the emerging adaptations to mitigate these effects. We also collaborated with global partners to develop and disseminate a guide to support monitoring the continued effects of COVID-19 on reproductive health care and MNCH essential services. When COVID-19 vaccines became available, we also worked with local partners and governments to vaccinate people against COVID-19.
Learn how MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity has worked with local partners and governments to vaccinate people in our partner countries against COVID-19.
Expanding the Availability of COVID-19 Vaccines Globally
Safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines were developed and introduced at a record pace, but many people around the world have difficulty accessing this lifesaving intervention. MOMENTUM worked with countries to identify and overcome supply- and demand-side challenges by introducing the COVID-19 vaccine to their populations.
Recognizing the value of private and public health sector partnerships for delivering quality health solutions, MOMENTUM also worked with the World Health Organization to document evidence and opportunities for effective private sector engagement in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Learn how MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity has worked with local partners and governments to vaccinate people in our partner countries against COVID-19.
Ensure continuity of lifesaving health care
MOMENTUM worked with ministries of health and local partners to maintain COVID-safe access to quality MNCH/FP/RH services during the pandemic, including lifesaving care to address maternal and newborn emergencies. We also concurrently increased critical prevention interventions that increase overall MNCH services, including immunizations for children, and water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Strengthen the resilience of health systems to prepare and respond to pandemics
We helped countries restore and stabilize their health systems while increasing their resilience to future acute shocks like infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters. We also worked with countries to embed early warning and response systems to address risks, accelerating the availability of information at community and district levels for quicker planning and action.
Share emerging and evidence-based best practices
We helped countries access and use evidence from previous global disease outbreaks and their effects on MNCH/FP/RH services to shape their short- and long-term pandemic response. In addition, we worked with USAID partner countries to share information and learn how to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on their health systems. We also aided health planners to access, adapt, and adopt the latest global technical guidance.
Reference
- Timothy Roberton et al, “Early estimates of the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child mortality in low-income and middle-income countries,” Lancet Global Health 8 (2020): e901–08. https://doi.org/10.1016/8: e901–08