While assiduous efforts and measures are taken in response to the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, it is critical we delve into the nutritional needs for the most vulnerable (pregnant women and babies) in the country.

This seemingly irremediable disease has led to the persistent campaign by medical experts for citizens to eat well and take food supplements to boost the immune system.  This is because, the stronger the immune system, the higher the rate of survival from the disease.  Job losses, decline in businesses and investments, stemming from financial crisis experienced both in Ghana and across the globe have negatively impacted the nutritional status of low and middle income pregnant women.

Good nutrition, if maintained throughout pregnancy, promotes optimal growth and development of the children. It also reduces the risks of developing chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes in adult life. When pregnant women are deprived of quality intake of macro and micro nutrients, it affects fetal growth and increases maternal mobility. It also results in malnutrition which makes them highly at risk to coronavirus, due to weakened immune systems.

Resources that will be used to supply and distribute pregnancy medication and supplements such as folic acid, prenatal vitamins, iron supplements, distribution of oral rehydration salts and zinc for diarrhea, etc to ensure good health before and after delivery, are being diverted to combating Covid-19.

According to American researchers Derek Heady and Marie Ruel, the Covid-19 economic crisis will affect diet by the declining demands for fruits, vegetables and animal-sourced foods, which are the main sources of essential micronutrients in diets. Income effects will drive most pregnant women who cannot afford nutrient-rich and healthy foods like eggs, fruits and vegetables to respond to purchasing cheapest calories they can feed on and that can be deadly to their health and that of the unborn baby.

A study by De Groot et al in 2019, found out that, more than half of pregnant women have low and middle socio-economic status in the Greater Accra region in Ghana and women within this bracket have high risk of miscarriages. This proves that the negative impacts of covid -19 will aggravate their already dire financial situations. We commend the government for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which provides most of the medication for pregnant women. However, due to inadequate funds, most of these pregnant women sometimes end up taking these medications and supplements without eating a well-balanced diet and this does not make them acquire the recommended nutrients their body needs. Pregnant women who take medication without enough food, will not get enough calories to maintain their health. They may lose weight, their muscles will deteriorate and they will feel weak at all times. They may have micronutrient deficiency related to anemia, which is one of the conditions most pregnant women are battling with. World Bank collection of development indicators in 2020 reveals that 54.3% of pregnant women were anemic in 2016.

According to new research from Research Organisations, pregnant women who eat unhealthy diet may be putting their children at risk of developing long term, irreversible health issues including obesity, raised levels of cholesterol and blood sugar. Aside from their nutritional inadequacies, pregnant women are also greeted with harsh realities such as:  the fear of contracting the virus, especially from hospitals; thus, they refuse to seek medical attention on either nutrition or any other health problems.

Although there is no evidence that shows that pregnant women become more at risk to coronavirus than any other healthy women, we need to ensure that they still have access to good nutrition, supplements, vaccines and all other medications on time to keep their babies healthy. Instead of the government supplying free medications and supplements only for pregnant women, they should be given fortified foods. Fortified foods are foods that have nutrients added in order to reduce the number of pregnant women or nursing mothers with dietary deficiencies. Some of their medications should be accompanied with packaged balanced meals with much fruits and vegetables. Aside from antenatal checkups, skilled delivery care, postnatal care services, and covid-19 related care, they should be counseled more on nutritional practices and benefits such as good hygiene practices and how to prepare balanced diet at affordable costs. They should also be counseled on how to overcome fear and panic to enable them have sound mind throughout the pregnancy period.

The Covid-19 pandemic is considered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the most deadly global health calamity of the century and the greatest challenge that the humankind has faced since the 2^nd World War. It has, no doubt, left an indelible pain and discomfort on the minds of people.  However, with utmost attention to tackle it from all angles and cycles of life, without leaving the most vulnerable and their needs behind, we shall survive and overcome it.

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The writer holds a Masters degree in Communication Studies from the Legon. She can be contacted benitaodoi225@gmail.com