Submission ID 118462
| Issue/Objective | The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has critically disrupted healthcare systems, disproportionately impacting vulnerable groups such as newborns and their mothers. Neonates in conflict-affected regions face significantly heightened risks of morbidity and mortality due to reduced healthcare accessibility, compromised quality of care, and disruption of essential neonatal and maternal services. The primary objectives of this analysis are to critically assess neonatal health outcomes in Ukraine's conflict zones, understand barriers to healthcare delivery, and evaluate the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions in mitigating adverse neonatal outcomes. This topic holds significant global health implications by providing critical insights into strengthening healthcare resilience in crisis settings. |
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| Methodology/Approach | This analytical review synthesizes existing literature, humanitarian reports, and policy documents published between 2014 and 2024. It specifically focuses on conflict-affected regions in Ukraine, analyzing data on neonatal mortality, morbidity rates, healthcare access, and quality of neonatal care. The review adopts an analytical and critical approach, emphasizing factors such as healthcare infrastructure disruption, maternal stress, and displacement-related barriers to neonatal healthcare services. |
| Results | Preliminary analysis indicates a marked increase in neonatal mortality and adverse birth outcomes, including preterm births, low birth weight, and neonatal illnesses in conflict-affected areas of Ukraine. Key barriers identified include damaged healthcare infrastructure, severe shortages of medical supplies and personnel, and significant disruptions to maternal care services. Humanitarian interventions, including mobile clinics, emergency obstetric and neonatal care units, and international health partnerships, have provided some relief but have demonstrated varying degrees of effectiveness, largely contingent upon coordination with local healthcare systems and sustainability of resources. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The findings highlight critical areas for strengthening neonatal healthcare delivery in conflict settings, emphasizing the necessity of sustainable, integrated humanitarian interventions that align closely with local healthcare infrastructure and systems. Policy implications underscore the importance of prioritizing maternal-neonatal healthcare in global humanitarian responses, investing in resilient healthcare infrastructure, and ensuring continuity of care despite conflict disruptions. These insights support global health policy recommendations for scaling up effective neonatal care interventions in Ukraine and other similar conflict-affected settings, aligning closely with Sustainable Development Goals related to health, equality, and peace. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Julia Tikhonov McMaster University Dr. Ranu Malhi McMaster University Julia Tikhonov McMaster University |
