A new multi-method study conducted in Kenya challenges widely held assumptions that COVID-19 lockdown policies invariably disrupt essential health services. Using a controlled pre-post analysis alongside interrupted time series methods, the researchers found no significant overall impact of lockdowns on facility-based deliveries when comparing counties with and without lockdown measures. Notably, lockdown counties experienced a temporary increase of approximately 4.97 % (95% CI: 0.51%–9.43%) in facility-based deliveries early in the pandemic’s first wave, followed by a modest monthly decline of 0.97% (95% CI: –1.60% to –0.34%) relative to non-lockdown areas.
The study underscores that when supported with strategic planning and additional health system investments, such as deploying extra healthcare workers and reinforcing community and referral networks, lockdowns need not undermine maternal health service access. These findings offer important lessons for policymakers facing future public health crises, emphasizing the importance of context-specific strategies to maintain essential care delivery. The authors also call for further research to explore regional and socioeconomic differences in policy impacts and to consider effects on out-of-pocket expenditure—areas that remain underexplored due to data limitations.
The findings can inform policymakers, ministries of health, and development partners in designing preparedness and response strategies during future health crises. Findings highlight that lockdowns need not undermine access to essential services if accompanied by targeted investments such as health workforce expansion, community health engagement, and social protection mechanisms like free maternal healthcare, particularly in regions with fragile health systems. The insights also provide a basis for further research and funding to explore socioeconomic and regional inequalities, as well as financial protection during crises.
Thumbnail image credit: WHO
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