The impact of Covid19 on Sexual and Reproductive Health by Rahimat Suleuman

So I made research some months ago on ” IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON COVID-19, KADUNA STATE”

In March 2020 the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic, the Covid-19 pandemic caught Nigeria off guard and there was little or no preparation put in place for it. Taking precautionary measure President Mohammadu Buhari with the help of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control issued a set of measure to curb the spread of the virus which include the closure of schools, religious gathering, directive banning of all flight in and out of the country, citizens were also placed under compulsory lockdown except for essential workers and services.

On 23rd March 2020, the Kaduna state government imposed a compulsory lockdown on the state to help reduce the spread of the virus. This harmed Sexual and Reproductive Health services and the Kaduna health service at large.

• The burden of Covid-19 on the already struggling health system has led to the fall back of so many SRH service, the health care has an increased burden. It is difficult for the health care system to balance between attending to Covid-19 cases and other medical cases; this limited so many aspects of medical services. People who came to health care facilities are not all attended to because health workers focus more on emergency cases. People who need regular drug refills such as antiretroviral for HIV/AIDS patients, Contraceptives, antenatal medications, antidiuretic drugs and antibiotics for the treatment of STDs etc. are not easily accessible.
• The attention of the health system is now moved towards Covid-19. According to NAN, the Covid-19 pandemic created a lot of gaps in the performance of other health interventions in Kaduna state. The Kaduna state government had particularly slashed its health budget as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic leaving other health sectors such as nutrition and SRH with little or no funding.
• The restriction and state lockdown made it difficult for pregnant women to attend ]their normal antenatal care and PNC, which most likely lead to complications. In a nutshell, there are increased difficulties in accessing SRH services due to the increase and burden on the health care system. Pregnant women of Zaria local government complained of irregular antenatal sessions due to the pandemic, this is a growing fear among pregnant women. Fatima Musa a pregnant woman from Zaria reported how that she is scared of her pregnancy especially as it grows closer to the third trimester, she said often a fever could make her panic and wonder about the movement of her baby. While others lamented that they are afraid of going to the hospital so as not to come in contact with Covid-19 patients.
• There is a decrease in the number of health workers which makes access to SRH services difficult. According to the Director of Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Illiyasu Neyu while speaking to the Kaduna state Covid-19 Taskforce media no fewer than 144 health workers had tested positive for Covid-19 in Kaduna state. The inadequate welfare packages including hazard allowances provision of PPE among other essential need is a critical concern which is forcing health workers to seek safer and better alternatives like staying at home. On 22nd May 2020 health workers began a 7 days warning strike, the strike was as a result of the 25% salary cut from April and May salaries and the lack of adequate PPE. It was reported that a pregnant woman in labour was brought from Ungwan/Muazu, Kaduna metropolis; she was ignored by health workers and also asked to leave the hospital.
• Amidst the ban on all means of transportation cases of child and maternal mortality are on the rise as people struggle to access health services, especially for those in rural communities.
• Most medical humanitarian organization that offers basic primary health care services and private clinics are closed especially during the compulsory lockdown. A lot of humanitarian actors withdrew their services due to the outbreak.
• During the compulsory lockdown, most families were forced to stay together, daily activities were stopped by couples, this increased the number of unplanned pregnancies especially those that their family planning methods involve the use of condoms experienced a shortage of condoms due to the closure of condom manufacturing companies and vendors. Increased cases of STDs are recorded. In general, there is a shortage of SRH supplies. This also resulted in unsafe abortion which was done by women in the comfort of their homes.
• There is an increase in Gender-based violence cases in Kaduna state, especially in the aspect of rape, sexual assault and physical violence. The Kaduna State Ministry of Human Service and Social Development in recent times has reported a series of Gender-based violence, especially in rape cases. These victims find it difficult to access Clinical Management of Rape Survivors such as Psycho-socio support and contraceptives. Gender-based violence survivors suffer a range of serious physical and mental health consequences that require urgent health responses.