NACHPN- PAS CONDUCT RAPID RESEARCH ON SUDDEN DISRUPTION OF ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION AND FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES IN LAGOS STATE FOLLOWING THE PERIOD OF COVID19
PAS partner NACHPN conducted a Rapid Research study on the Impact of Covid-19 on Routine Immunization and Family Planning services in Lagos State public health facilities. This to ascertain which government facilities experienced the greatest disruption, highlight the steps taken to address the disruption, and also make recommendations to address the disruption.
The rapid research was conducted through interviews, administered questionnaires, and discussion with frontline Community Health Workers and Nurses from selected facilities in Lagos State. The facilities in Somolu LGA were randomly selected because of COVID-19 cases identified in some of the health facilities served as a reference point.
The causes of disruption in facilities were total lockdown, restriction of movement imposed by Federal & State Government, fear of contacting Covid-19 by both Health workers and clients, inadequate supply of PPEs, the shutdown of health facilities where Covid-19 cases were detected, and long stays at health facilities due to social distance guidelines.
Findings showed that Services in RI were disrupted to very few clients during the Covid-19 period, some category of health workers were restricted from coming to work, some contacted Covid-19 and were put in isolation centers grossly limiting the number of health workers, thereby resulting to 16% coverage drop in Routine immunization. Findings also showed that Services in Family Planning were disrupted to clients during the Covid-19 period, with the same issues listed above. This led to a 37% drop in those accessing Family Planning related services.
The various data used for this research comes from Ohekenu PHC, Akoka PHC, Ashogbon PHC, Eva Adelaja PHC, Mafowoku PHC, Bajulaye PHC, CMS PHC,
Pota PHC, Ajara PHC, Ibereko PHC, Mowo PHC, Agboju PHC, Satellite PHC, Mile 2 PHC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu PHC Abule Ado, and DHIS.
The disruption in FP and RI services may not have happened if the impact of the Covid19 lockdown had not affected the healthcare services in terms of lockdown ordered by the instrument of transport systems being banned. This restriction in movement gravely hindered the distribution of vaccines and commodities, thereby accounting for a low supply of logistic items to places where it is needed. .
The Implication of the findings is that a reduced FP prevalence rate will increase the number of unintended pregnancies and Increase the cases of maternal death. While in RI there will be an increase in the numbers of unimmunized children. Children that are born during that period will miss BCG & 0 dose OPV, therefore, making them vulnerable to contracting tuberculosis.
PAS advises the Lagos State Government to Invest in a coherent planning cycle, with strategies, comprehensive, multi-year and operational annual plans outlining and coordinating strategies and activities which are monitored quarterly. The primary health care services will achieve greatly in ensuring that the further outbreak of pandemic diseases like Covid19 will not have any predominant effect on RI and FP service delivery in Lagos State.
