THE Covid-19 lockdown had harmful effects on chronic illnesses due to reduced access to healthcare.
Because of these disruptions, a new report released on Monday, 12 December, on the Universal Health Coverage Day by Rural Health Advocacy Project, revealed that the effects on both the health of the population and the health system may be felt for years to come.
Surgeries were cancelled, creating backlogs. Despite more firm systems, HIV and TB services were still affected and testing declined due to limited care and fear of being exposed to Covid-19.
The report collected data from March 2020 to June this year, focusing on the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccinations. The report revealed that the health system disruptions compromised other essential health services.
Many vital medications suffered out of stock situations and childhood immunisations declined in many provinces.
But ARVs provision and adult HIV services demonstrated resilience during lockdown.
Director at the advocacy project, Russell Rensburg, said the report demonstrates, despite many successful collaborations, the response to Covid-19 was inequitable and the burden of the pandemic was disproportionately borne by the poor.
“As we begin to rebuild our health system, we have an opportunity to strengthen primary care with a particular focus on diagnostic availability, more proactive vaccine roll-outs, and improved governance,” he said.
