Image source: UNFPA

Burnet Institute’s team worked with UNFPA Asia Pacific and UNFPA Global to develop and disseminate evidence-based guidance for low resource countries on the introduction and conduct of remote maternity care contacts. Remote contacts include over the phone or through some form of messaging platform.

Remote contacts was one of the strategies recommended to support reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in health services and communities and to help keep pregnant women and newborn babies safe during the pandemic.

Guidance included suggested schedule of visits suitable for remote contact and suggested script to assist care providers in ensuring all usual assessments and discussions occur despite the modality of the contact changing. The project included training webinars to support the introduction of the guidance in countries across the Asia Pacific region.

Timeline

• March - April 2020