UNICEF: South Asia’s pandemic surge threatens lives of children, mothers
According to the UN’s children’s fund, 228,000 children under 5 and 11,000 mothers died due to disruptions to essential health care services in South Asia in 2020 due to the pandemic. The current surge in infections could be even more devastating unless addressed adequately.
By Robin Gomes
The United Nations Children’s fund (UNICEF) has raised alarm over South Asia’s fragile healthcare system devastated by massive waves of Covid-19 infections, which could claim many more lives than last year. UNICEF regional director for South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei called for urgent action and funds to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and mothers in the densely populated region who are missing out on routine life-saving healthcare.