Islamabad, May 15th (Gwadar Pro) – Recently, United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) appealed to maintain lifesaving services for pregnant women and newborns.

According to UNICEF’s report, Pakistan is expected more than 5 million births in the 9 months since the pandemic declaration. Meanwhile, Pakistan has a high neonatal mortality rates even before the pandemic and may see these levels increase with COVID-19 conditions.

In order to protect the pregnant women and newborns’ life, Chinese medical experts shared experiences.

Ma LiangKun, Chief physician of department of obstetrics and gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, emphasised that pregnant women and newborns should strictly be isolated at home with regular and frequent monitoring of temperature. Further more, It is important to have regular schedule and keep a good mood.

Wuhan Tongji Hospital suggested that pregnant women should take caution when taking antiviral drugs, such as Lopinavir and Ritonavir.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 2.8 million pregnant women and newborns died every year, or 1 every 11 seconds, mostly of preventable causes. UNICEF calls for immediate investment in health workers with the right training, who are equipped with the right medicines to ensure every mother and newborn is cared for by a safe pair of hands to prevent and treat complications during pregnancy, delivery and birth.