Image: COVID-19 effect on maternal health
Pledge to help fight COVID-19
It is with this understanding, our dedication to democratize access to information and tools that help people receive remote healthcare. We are working with partners like ACT in Africa, TechVillage, Impact Hub Harare, and Stimulus Hub to deliver customised solutions for the public.
How Dawa is helping fight COVID-19
Through the DawaMom platform, we are helping mothers receive remote maternal health from their doctors. The DawaMom app is a week on week advisory app that is assisting mothers have safe pregnancies. Through the DawaMom, mothers can track their medical parameters which are then wired remotely to a doctor.
Through a network of community health workers, mothers are able to request biweekly visits without hospital visits. With most mothers terrified to visit hospitals because of the pandemic, mothers are able to get home visits and not miss their antenatal meetings. We are empowering community health workers with tools that enable them to measure mother's medical parameters. Through the DawaMom app, mothers recordings are wired to doctors for remote consultations.
Protective Measures
Coronaviruses
A large group of viruses that has an envelope and protein spike structure. This structure gives it the appearance of a crown 'corona in latin'. They cause respiratory symptoms but sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms.
What you need to know
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
- Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
[source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/]
Symptoms to watch
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
NB: This list does not include all possible symptoms. Dawa Health will continue to update this list as we updates are released from CDC and W.H.O on COVID-19
COVID-19 risk in pregnancy
Pregnant women or recently pregnant women who are older, overweight, and have pre-existing medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes seem to have an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19. When pregnant women develop severe disease, they also seem to more often require care in intensive care units than non-pregnant women of reproductive age.
Due to changes in their bodies and immune systems, we know that pregnant women can be badly affected by some respiratory infections. It is therefore important that they take precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19, and report possible symptoms (including fever, cough or difficulty in breathing) to their healthcare provider.
WHO will continue to review and update its information and advice as more evidence becomes available.
[Source: World Health Organisation]
Precautions in pregnancy
Pregnant women should take the same precautions to avoid COVID-19 infection as other people. You can help protect yourself by:
- Washing your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- Keeping space between yourself and others and avoiding crowded spaces. Wear a non-medical, fabric mask where it is not possible to keep sufficient physical distance between yourself and others.Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Practicing respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
- If you have fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Call before going to a health facility, and follow the directions of your local health authority.
Pregnant women and women who have recently delivered should attend their routine care appointments, according to local policies and following adapted measures to reduce possible transmission of the virus.
[Source: World Health Organisation]
Pregnancy and birth care
All pregnant women and their newborns, including those with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infections, have the right to high quality care before, during and after childbirth, including mental health care.
A safe and positive childbirth experience includes:
- Being treated with respect and dignity;
- Having a companion of choice present during delivery;
- Clear communication by maternity staff;
- Appropriate pain relief strategies:
- Mobility in labour where possible, and birth position of choice.
If COVID-19 is suspected or confirmed, health workers should take all appropriate precautions to reduce risks of infection to themselves and others, including hand hygiene, and appropriate use of protective clothing like gloves, gown and medical mask.
[Source: World Health Organisation]