WHO publishes new guidance for maintaining essential health services in the context of COVID-19

The World Health Organization has published new guidance for maintaining essential health services in the context of COVID-19. The guidance comes as many countries report challenges of increased demand for care of people with COVID-19, compounded by fear, misinformation and limitations on movement that disrupt the delivery of health care for all conditions.

'Maintaining essential health services: operational guidance for the COVID-19' context recommends practical actions that countries can take at national, subregional and local levels to reorganize and safely maintain access to high-quality, essential health services in the pandemic context.

It also outlines sample indicators for monitoring essential health services and describes considerations on when to stop and restart services as COVID-19 transmission recedes and surges.

This guidance expands on the content of pillar 9 of the COVID-19 strategic preparedness and response plan, supersedes the earlier 'Operational guidance for maintaining essential health services during an outbreak', and complements the recently-released 'Community-based health care, including outreach and campaigns, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic'. It is intended for decision-makers and managers at the national and subnational levels.

This news piece draws on materials published by WHO available here.