Investing in a Resilient and Responsive Healthcare System During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

AbstractStrategies implemented by Jhpiego nationally and in 15 states of India to respond to the COVID- 19 emergency and to counter the devastating impact of the pandemic are discussed. By the time the nationwide lockdown was imposed in March, 2020, Jhpiego’s COVID-19 response strategy was in action. This strategy included strengthening the capacity of the health workforce, supporting the national and the state governments, and ensuring the continuation of essential health services including reproductive health services.Jhpiego mounted a swift multi-sectoral and multi-pronged program to provide technical support for enhancing the preparedness of the healthcare system across 15 states. Training and monitoring activities were conducted using virtual platforms. A decentralized approach was employed to co-design with the community local solutions for health problems. The thrust was on developing community-centered, community-owned, and community-driven programs. Digital technology, including tele-medicine and other innovative solutions, played a key part in these efforts. The program provided technical assistance for building a resilient healthcare system by strengthening governance mechanisms and facility-based preparedness, piloting an integrated disease surveillance system, enhancing the use of data to guide evidence-based decision-making, re-designing public health facilities, and setting-up rapid response teams which could be quickly mobilized to respond to crises.