Intersection between Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) and Complex Emergencies Among Population Affected by Conflicts in Low- and Middle-income Countries

Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH) services faced severe disruptions in conflict-affected regions, further complicated by global health emergencies like Ebola and COVID-19. This PhD research explored the critical intersection of MNCH with these crises, highlighting the increased health risks for women and children in conflict zones. The study was structured around four key analyses: 1. Maternal Mortality in Sierra Leone: Investigated the highest rates of maternal mortality globally, analyzing data from the Maternal Death Surveillance and Response system to pinpoint causes and systemic healthcare weaknesses. 2. Impact of Ebola and COVID-19 on MNCH: Reviewed existing literature to understand how these pandemics impacted healthcare delivery in conflict zones, focusing on direct and societal effects on MNCH services. 3. MNCH Access Among Afghan Refugee Women: A cross-sectional survey identified barriers to antenatal and intrapartum care among Afghan refugees in Pakistan, underlining the challenges and needs of displaced populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. 4. Resilience of MNCH Services: Explored integrating the Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (health-EDRM) framework into primary healthcare to enhance MNCH service resilience in conflict settings. Synthesizing these studies provided a comprehensive view of the barriers and facilitators to accessing MNCH care during global health emergencies. The research underscored the necessity of resilient health systems that integrated emergency preparedness and adapted to crises, ensuring continuous care for vulnerable populations, especially women and children in conflict zones. The findings offered evidence-based insights and policy recommendations for improving MNCH outcomes and advocated for a resilient, equitable global health system.