| dc.description.abstract |
Background: COVID-19 is caused by novel corona virus which later coined the name SARSCOY
-2. Ethiopia has started the response for the epidemic since late January 2020 by screening
at ports of entry and activation of Public Health Emergency Operation Center at national and
regional level. The first case was reported on March 13, 2020 and ever-increasing number of
cases every day. The country has arranged a multi-sectoral response which is led by the Prime
Minister at the Ministerial level. The health response is headed by the Ministry of Health through
its agency, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. This study explored the experience health
response for an epidemic with this scale, which has never happened in the near past.
Objectives: To explore and describe COVID-19 health response experience at national level
Methods: Explorative descriptive qualitative research design is applied for this research. Key
informant interviews and document reviews used for data collection. A total of 11 key informants
participated in the KII. Data were coded and categorized using Atlas ti version 8 software for
qualitative data management and analyzed based on a thematic approach.
Result: COVID-19 health response was initiated early, and the response strengthened over the
course. Emergency operation center activated, Emergency preparedness and response plan
prepared, facilities designated for the response, health professionals recruited in large numbers,
laboratory capacity rapidly scaled up. Facility readiness, laboratory capacity, H.R, medical
supplies and resource are chaIIenges during preparation and response phases of the epidemic.
Conclusion and recommendation: COVID- I9 has unveiled poor public health management
system. Public health management system should be re-optimized and included in the next health
sector strategic plan.
...................................... Thesis available at ACIPH Library |
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