In the Covid-19 pandemic period, there have been increased reports of patients missing on lifesaving treatments for their illnesses such as dialysis sessions and cancer treatments. There have been less emergency department hospital visits for life-threatening conditions such as asthmatic attacks and heart attacks, with resultant bad outcomes at home.
Since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, people have opted for self-medication due to fear of coming to hospitals where the risk of contracting Covid-19 is perceived to be high, stigma associated with Covid-19 disease, curfews and partial lockdowns and the requirements for physical distancing.
