Impacts of lock down on Family Planning

The lock down has resulted in poor access to family planning measures and contraceptives. This will result in lots of unwanted pregnancies.

Highlights

With the number of infected persons of COVID-19 increasing all over India, least importance is being given to family planning and other treatments that includes Tuberculosis, AIDS, etc. The issue will end up in lot of unwanted pregnancies and eventually to unsafe abortions and maternal deaths.

Analysis

According to the Foundation for Reproductive Health Services India. Around 2.56 crore couples are unable to access contraceptive services. This leads to loss of 6.9 lakh sterilization services and 9.7 lakh IUCD (Intra Uterine Contraceptive Devices).

Foundation for Reproductive Health Services India

It is an NGO that is working since 2009. It is a part of the Marine Stopes International, which is an organization that provides personalized abortion services and contraception. The organization is spread across 37 countries.

Focus on COVID-19 increases Malaria, HIV and TB

Apart from its impacts on family planning, COVID-19 has also affected the treatment of malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV. According to a study, the HIV projections could increase by 10%, malaria can increase upto 20% and Tuberculosis related deaths could increase by 20%.

The study was conducted by Geneva based body “Stop TB”.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2020