The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the COVID-19 pandemic, war and crises have set back efforts to improve the health and well-being of women and children.

According to WHO data presented at the World Health Summit in Berlin, hunger and poverty have risen, and there are clear signs of an increase in underage marriage, domestic violence, and depression and anxiety among adolescents.

“Although children and adolescents are less likely to experience severe health consequences from SARS-COV-2 infection compared with adults, multiple years of education, health, nutrition, and social service disruptions have impacted and will continue to impact their lives,’’ the UN agency said.

Some 21 million children worldwide were not adequately vaccinated in 2021, six million more than in 2019, before the pandemic erupted.

In Africa, the WHO declared polio-free in 2020, but fresh cases are already reappearing this year.

The report said in 2021, 150 million more people went hungry than in 2019. In the poorest countries, malnutrition rose from eight per cent in 2019 to 9.8 per cent in 2021.

According to the WHO, the world is not on track to meet the UN’s 2030 development goals, which have clear health, nutrition and education targets, among others.

The global health body said basic health care must be improved, even in the most remote regions and conflict areas.

It said women and girls, in particular, needed better educational opportunities to learn more about health, healthy eating, fitness and pregnancy.

(dpa/NAN)