A new UN report stated that Sri Lanka has seen the sharpest increase in maternal deaths due to COVID-19 pandemic in the South Asian region, said BBC. Sri Lanka’s increase rate of 21.5% was followed by Pakistan’s 21.3%. The report also says that child mortality rose the highest in India in 2020 – up by 15.4% – followed by Bangladesh at 13%. The report has focused on Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “The full effect of the pandemic – and ensuing lockdowns – is just starting to become clear as countries take stock of their public health and education programmes,” BBC said.

Source: The Nation March 18, 2021 10:52 UTC