Open AccessRedesigning routine antenatal care in low resource setting during COVID-19 pandemic
Author(s) -
Rinchen Zangmo,
Archana Kumari,
Deepali Garg,
Kanika Sharma
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of family medicine and primary care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2278-7135
pISSN - 2249-4863
DOI - 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_831_20
Subject(s) - medicine , pandemic , covid-19 , telemedicine , contingency plan , health care , medical emergency , population , pregnancy , environmental health , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , economic growth , computer security , pathology , biology , computer science , economics , genetics
Obstetric population because of its unique and varying needs specific for different gestations justifies for distinctive considerations in times of pandemic like COVID-19. Healthcare facilities providing obstetric care need to develop contingency plans for minimizing antenatal visits to limit exposure of both healthy pregnant women and care providers from ill people. However, to mitigate any potential adverse effects of reduced antenatal visits, intelligent and smart use of evolving telemedicine capabilities can provide the continuum of care despite overwhelming burden due to pandemic. A collaborative work-model involving health workers in the community and the regional levels of health centres also has the potential to prevent the catastrophic collapse of obstetric care services during any pandemic like COVID-19.