28% women faced difficulty accessing healthcare services during Covid-19, cyclone Amphan: MJF report

Some 28 percent of 330 women and girls faced difficulties in accessing healthcare services in six climate vulnerable upazilas during the Covid-19 pandemic and cyclone Amphan, said a Manusher Jonno Foundation commissioned report.

This percentage of the respondents did not report subscribing to telemedicine services, said the report.

The pandemic situation caused supply chain disruption in hard-to-reach areas, as close to 40 percent respondents reported unavailability of key necessity items such as basic medicines and contraceptives, the report added.

Findings of the report "Identify Impact of Covid-19 and Amphan over Rights of Women and Girls and Their Livelihood in Climate Vulnerable Locations" were shared during a webinar jointly organised by MJF and The Daily Star today.

MJF along with Inspira Advisory and Consulting carried out the study. Field data for the survey was collected in September.

The six climate vulnerable upazilas are: Patharghata of Barguna, Shyamnagar of Satkhira, Gaibandha Sadar and Phulchari, and Rangamati Sadar and Naniarchar.

According to the report, about 80 percent respondents experienced a decrease in their income or livelihood during the pandemic, it said.