This side event, organised in the context of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2021, aims to explore how the use of health data is critical to address the indirect effects of COVID-19 on the delivery and use of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (SRMNCAH) services in the Asia-Pacific region and the implications on achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal for Health (SDG 3).

The COVID-19 pandemic is straining health systems globally. Governments have had to respond quickly to curb the transmission of COVID-19. The consequent disruption of services on already overstretched health systems, and the diversion of resources from essential health services, threaten the progress made so far in achieving the 2030 SDG goal on health. This side event will provide an opportunity to reflect on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on SRMNCAH services for women newborns, children and young people in the Asia-Pacific region, share good practices and spread awareness on the status of the 2030 agenda for SDG 3.

The event will include presentations and discussions by representatives of the Ministries of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, moderated by the WHO Office for South-East Asia, the UNFPA Regional office for Asia-Pacific and the UNICEF’s South Asia and East Asia and Pacific Regional Offices.

The event will be held on Monday 22 March, 11-12h (Bangkok time, GMT+7, verify your time here).

You can register for the event here.