Lessons from Asia: A review of five national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

@#The outbreak of COVID-19 triggered various responses from nations in an effort to control its spread. This review aimed to assess the responses of China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and the Philippines, and identify effective strategies to address the pandemic's incidence and mortality rate. Using a descriptive review of existing literature, their responses were evaluated using the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), which outline long-term objectives of reducing viral transmission, and reducing disaster risks and losses respectively. The countries studied were able to engage and mobilize communities; find, test, and isolate cases; provide clinical care, and maintain essential health services. However, countries differ in implementation, mainly due to their varying Social Determinants of Health (SDH) and disparities in resources. The countries' common goal was to control COVID-19 and return to economic normalcy. This study showed that effective strategies in handling the pandemic contain the following aspects 1) strategic preparedness by drawing from past experiences, 2) tactical restructuring of the healthcare system, 3) effective resource mobilization and management, and 4) effective use of communication and technology to engage with the public. The SFDRR global targets were clear long-term goals for countries to base their pandemic responses on. This could equip the countries with the right tools and policies for future disasters, including a pandemic. Glaring issues on countries' SDH should also be foremostly addressed. Economic inequality, communication gaps, and issues on governance are primary factors that hinder the effective management of the pandemic for countries. Policy makers and social development workers, including nurses, need to adopt a holistic framework in analyzing situations confronting their work such as disasters.