The COVID-19 Pandemic: Effects on Low and Middle-Income Countries

COVID-19 is spreading rapidly around the world with devastating consequences on patients, healthcare workers, health systems and economies. As it reaches low and middle-income countries, its effects could be even more dire because it will be difficult for them to respond aggressively to the pandemic. There is a great shortage of all health care providers who will be at risk due to a lack of personal protection equipment. Social distancing will be almost impossible. The necessary resources to treat patients will be in short supply. The end result could be a catastrophic loss of life. A global effort will be required to support faltering economies and health care systems. Funding: None Conflict of Interest: Dr Mellin-Olsen is President of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists Author Contribution: All authors participated in the writing and editing of the manuscript Corresponding Author: Angela Enright MB BCh BAO, FRCPC, Clinical Professor of Anesthesia, University of British Columbia, Dept of Anesthesia, Royal Jubilee Hospital, 1952 Bay Street, Victoria, BC V8R 1J8, Canada, Email: acenright1@gmail.com, Phone: 1 250 472 0082, Cell: 1 250 661 2766 © 2020 International Anesthesia Research Society