The far-reaching fallout of COVID-19
18 September 2020 - Despite efforts to break the global cycle of panic and neglect seen throughout multiple disease outbreaks, the UN health agency chief said on Friday that the new coronavirus has shown that the world was “woefully under prepared”.
In the latest episode of Awake At Night, , recently appointed Director-General of (the UN organization leading the global effort to end HIV AIDS as a public health threat by 2030) talks about what it's been like having to deal with the complexities of two pandemics at once; COVID-19 and HIV AIDS.
COVID-19 has torn a hole through society and shown us how closely health and a sustainable future are linked. calls to rise to the challenges and opportunities of the pandemic.
COVID-19 has taken more than 900,000 lives and infected more than 27 million people. The updated UN Comprehensive Response to COVID-19 report provides an overview of the data, analysis, policy recommendations and concrete support that the UN has made available to cope with the health, socio-economic, humanitarian and human rights impacts of COVID-19. The report outlines the steps needed to save lives, protect societies and recover better. As the Secretary-General he highlighted the importance of making a COVID-19 vaccine affordable and accessible for all.
The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled the huge challenges and risks health workers are facing globally including health care associated infections, violence, stigma, psychological and emotional disturbances, illness and even death. Furthermore, working in stressful environments makes health workers more prone to errors which can lead to patient harm. Therefore, focuses on the theme: Health Worker Safety: A Priority for Patient Safety. On 17 September speak up for health workers and share these .
A humanitarian crisis is taking place at sea and urgent action is needed to protect seafarers’ health and ensure the safety of shipping, warns . It is estimated that more than 300,000 seafarers and marine personnel are currently stranded at sea and unable to be repatriated despite the expiry of their contracts. A similar number of seafarers have been unable to join ships and relieve them. This is due to restrictions imposed by several governments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For expectant mothers facing the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, fear, anxiety and uncertainty are clouding this otherwise happy time. seeks advice from midwives.
The number of under-five deaths dropped to its lowest point on record in 2019 – down to 5.2 million from 12.5 million in 1990, according to new UN mortality estimates. Since then, however, surveys by and reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major disruptions to health services that threaten to undo decades of hard-won progress. Health check-ups, vaccinations and prenatal and post-natal care, are restricted due to resource constraints and general uneasiness with using health services due to fear of getting COVID-19.
#NotGoingBack: Recover, rebound, reimagine
“Even if I’m far away, I can make my message heard.”
In response to community transmission of COVID-19, New Zealand implemented a range of measures to contain the virus, including extensive testing, contact tracing and clear and consistent communications to the public.
Many routine and elective services have been suspended, while critical care - such as cancer screening and treatment and HIV therapy – has seen high-risk interruptions in low-income countries.
Fear of the virus discourages women from seeking maternal health care, causing a 25 per cent decline in patients. and Health officials warn that complications could rise as a result.
Significant breaches of human rights and other life-threatening and discriminatory disruptions have made part of the COVID-19 responses worldwide. The UN Secretary General has requested all UN entities to support the efforts of the in their own respective areas of expertise. So, to better inform the response going forwards, commissioned a report on how COVID-19 public health orders and restrictions on movement have impacted the response to HIV and human rights.