SWITZERLAND – According to the findings of the third round of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Pulse Survey, Health systems are still facing significant challenges in providing essential health services two years into the pandemic.

According to a WHO press release, ongoing disruptions have been reported in more than 90 percent of countries surveyed in the third round of the survey on the continuity of essential health services during the pandemic.

Countries reported service disruptions in all major health areas, including sexual and reproductive health, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, immunization, nutrition, cancer care, mental, neurological, and substance use disorders, HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, and care for the elderly.

Furthermore, even as COVID-19 vaccination was ramped up, increased disruptions in routine immunization services were reported, according to the release.

The findings of this latest survey, conducted at the end of 2021, indicate that health systems in all regions and countries of all income levels continue to be severely impacted, with little to no improvement since the previous survey, which was conducted in early 2021.

According to WHO, 70% of countries have increased government funding for recovery efforts related to health workforce capacity, access to medicines and other health products, digital health and facility infrastructure, and information and misinformation management.

Disruptions in all healthcare settings

Countries reported disruptions in all areas of health-care delivery. Many people continue to be unable to access primary care and community care in more than half of the countries surveyed.

Significant disruptions in emergency care have also been reported, which is especially concerning given the impact on people in need of immediate medical attention.

Consequently, 36 percent of countries reported ambulance service disruptions, 32 percent reported 24-hour emergency room service disruptions, and 23 percent reported emergency surgery disruptions.

Elective surgeries have also been disrupted in 59 percent of countries, which could have a cascading effect on health and well-being as the pandemic progresses.

Rehabilitative and palliative care disruptions were also reported in roughly half of the countries surveyed.

According to the release, major barriers to health service recovery include pre-existing health system issues that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, as well as decreased demand for care.

Challenges to scaling up COVID-19 tools

While countries continue to face challenges in maintaining essential health services, 92 percent of countries reported critical bottlenecks in scaling up access to essential COVID-19 tools such as diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

According to the survey, the most significant barriers to accessing COVID-19 tools are health workforce issues, which are likely caused by health workers experiencing exhaustion, becoming infected with COVID-19, or leaving the workforce.

Also, 56 percent of countries reported health workforce challenges in diagnostics and testing, 64 percent in COVID-19 therapeutics and treatments, and 36 percent in PPE distribution and use.

The most frequently reported bottlenecks for COVID-19 vaccination are demand-side issues such as a lack of community acceptance, access, and affordability.

Additionally, 58 percent of countries cited demand-side challenges as a major barrier to COVID-19 vaccine access, while 35 percent cited health workforce challenges.

Other challenges include a lack of funding, a lack of supplies and equipment, and a lack of data, information, strategies, and guidance.

Despite the bottlenecks, recovery plans are underway, as all of the countries surveyed are implementing strategies to overcome disruptions and restore services.

Strengthening health workforce training and capacity, providing home-based or telehealth services, procuring essential medicines and health products, implementing risk communication and community engagement strategies, and implementing health financing strategies are among them.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to address major health system challenges, restore services, and lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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