Countries should maintain essential health care to non-Covid-19 patients while dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.This is a message from Secretary-General Patricia Scotland ahead of the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting taking place virtually on 14 May.Some countries have temporarily suspended cancer treatment and surgery to help hospitals manage an influx of Covid-19 patients. At the same time, contagion suppression tactics such as lockdowns and border closures have limited the delivery of mosquito nets, insect repellents and vaccination schedules.Treatment and vaccination disruptions for preventable and curable illnesses could significantly increase mortality, according to the World Health Organization.![]() |