Prenatal care in the era of economic collapse

Assaad Kesrouani; Inaam Hatoum; Georges Yared; David Atallah; Linda Daou; Ramzi Finan

doi:10.1515/jpm-2022-0377

Article

Prenatal care in the era of economic collapse

Assaad Kesrouani , Inaam Hatoum , Georges Yared , David Atallah , Linda Daou and Ramzi Finan

Published/Copyright: November 24, 2022

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From the journal Journal of Perinatal Medicine Volume 51 Issue 5

Abstract

Objectives

To describe the effect of economic collapse on prenatal care.

Methods

This is an observational study aiming to depict the changes that occur in prenatal care in the case of an economic collapse. Biochemical screening and ultrasound examinations, as well as medical emigration and private-public sector activity, are discussed.

Results

Starting October 2019, Lebanon experienced significant and unprecedented economic degradation leading to 81% degradation of the local currency, 85% inflation, and socio-economic suffering, and the situation is currently still deteriorating. The impact on the medical infrastructure has been global and hit all areas. The crisis is multifaceted, varied in the way it played out across public and private sectors, and did not affect them equally. Some were better prepared than others to cope with severe fiscal pressure mainly through the support of non-governmental organizations. All aspects of prenatal care are affected by the crisis.

Conclusions

Given the multiple strains on the Lebanese health care system today, the plight of antenatal care providers needs assistance to ensure adequate follow-up of pregnancies.

Keywords: antenatal care; crisis; economics; prenatal

Corresponding author: Assaad Kesrouani, MD, Professor (full), Program Director, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, St Joseph University, Bellevue Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon; and Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Adib Ishac Street, Achrafie, POBox 60-290, Beirut, Lebanon, Phone: 009613222034, Fax: 009615464477, 009615464477, E-mail: drkesrouani@gmail.com

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the staff at the Lebanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology for helping in obtaining data for this study.

Research funding: None declared.
Author contribution: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Not applicable
Ethical approval: This study respects the principles of Helsinki Declaration and due to the nature of the manuscript does not require an ethical approval by our institution’s Ethics Committee.

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Received: 2022-08-02

Revised: 2022-09-19

Accepted: 2022-10-21

Published Online: 2022-11-24

Published in Print: 2023-06-27

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/jpm-2022-0377

Keywords for this article

antenatal care; crisis; economics; prenatal