Pandemic response management framework based on efficiency of COVID-19 control and treatment

• Published in: Future virology Vol. 15; no. 12; pp. 801 - 816
• Main Authors: Ibrahim, Mustapha D, Binofai, Fatima AS, MM Alshamsi, Reem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Future Medicine Ltd 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Data envelopment analysis; Disease management; Disease transmission; Efficiency; Hospitals; Medical supplies; Mortality; pandemic control; pandemic response framework; Pandemics; Personal protective equipment; Physicians; Population density; Public health; Sensitivity analysis; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Variables; Ventilators; China
• ISSN: 1746-0794; 1746-0808
• DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2020-0368

The existing response management system for pandemic disease fell short of controlling COVID-19. This study evaluates the response management relative efficiency of 58 countries in two stages, using two models. Data envelopment analysis was applied for efficiency analysis. 89.6% of countries were inefficient in pandemic control and 79% were inefficient in treatment measures. Sensitivity analysis underlines resources as a critical factor. Further examination points to absence of a robust and uniform mitigation measure against the pandemic in most countries.  Preventing spread is not only the first line of defense; it is the only line of defense. The lack of a global public health database support system and uniform response compounded inefficiency. A robust pandemic response management framework is developed based on practices of key performers. Action plans are proposed, with a recommendation for a global public health pandemic database monitoring and support system as the nucleus.