COVID-19 created substantial health policy challenges for low-income countries, impacting women and children disproportionately. A study analyzed the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic, highlighting disparities based on socioeconomic status, age, and gender. Researchers gathered data from 28 in-depth interviews, six focus groups, and 40 household interviews, along with government reports and published research. They developed a conceptual framework to explore causal pathways and guide their analysis.

Findings revealed that the pandemic’s indirect impacts, such as job losses and reduced access to healthcare—including maternal and child health services—were severe. These challenges were intensified by existing political and economic issues. The poorest segments of society experienced the most significant negative effects, worsening inequalities. Policymakers struggled to address both the immediate and long-term consequences of COVID-19, which were unevenly distributed among different groups. The study concludes that the indirect effects of the pandemic may have been as damaging, if not more so, than the direct health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations. Future recommendations include establishing protocols to improve access to maternal and child health services and strategies to reduce barriers to social support.