Emerging Lessons from COVID-19: Essential Health Services for Women, Newborns, and Children Policy Brief

The brief summarizes the findings of a rapid evidence review on the effects of COVID-19 on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and voluntary family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) services. It highlights the negative impacts of COVID-19 on MNCH/FP/RH care, including reduced provision and demand for care, health worker shortages, and increased costs. The brief also discusses strategies and adaptations that countries have used to maintain access to essential health services during the pandemic, such as telemedicine, community-based care, and supply chain innovations. The document concludes by emphasizing the need for continued learning, documentation, and sharing of promising strategies to sustain and improve equitable coverage of quality MNCH/FP/RH care during the pandemic and beyond.