Childbirth in the Covid era: We need a much more ambitious vision for public health

A global investigation has documented “shocking” and “unnecessary” breaches of laws and World Health Organization guidelines intended to protect women and babies during the pandemic. Mary Fitzgerald, Editor in Chief of openDemocracy, outlines the findings.

There have been reports of "shocking" breaches of laws intended to protect women and babies during the pandemic. File pciture. 

"The baby is dead. We can’t assist you here.” 

By the time she heard these devastating words, the pregnant Yasmelis Casanova had endured a long and painful journey, passing through multiple Covid-19 checkpoints, to the hospital in Caracas, Venezuela.