Lessons learnt of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan using systems thinking processes

The strategy of test, trace and isolate has been promoted and seen as a crucial tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As simple as the slogan sounds, effectively implementing it turns into a complex endeavor with multiple moving parts and the need for multisector collaboration. In this st...

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Published inFrontiers in public health Vol. 10; p. 909931
Main Authors Zafar, Shamsa, Fruchtman, Carmen Sant, Bilal Khalid, Muhammad, Zia, Zaeem, Khalid Khan, Fawad, Iqbal, Shahid, Muñoz, Daniel Cobos
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 13.09.2022
Subjects
Computer Science
Contact Tracing
COVID-19
COVID-19 - epidemiology
COVID-19 - prevention & control
district
health system
Humans
Life Sciences
Pakistan - epidemiology
Pandemics
Public Health
Santé publique et épidémiologie
Systems Analysis
Systems and Control
systems thinking
Pakistan
COVID-19
systems thinking
contact tracing
district
health system
Health system
Contact tracing
Systems thinking
District
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Summary:The strategy of test, trace and isolate has been promoted and seen as a crucial tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As simple as the slogan sounds, effectively implementing it turns into a complex endeavor with multiple moving parts and the need for multisector collaboration. In this study, we apply a systems thinking lens to analyse the design and implementation of the contact tracing strategy for COVID-19 in the district of Islamabad, Pakistan. The data collection included participatory observation, reflective exercises, key informant interviews and participatory workshops with district health managers and health providers. The information gathered was structured using process and stakeholder mapping to identify the lessons learned of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy. The results showed that the elements crucial for implementation were, good coordination during a crisis, available resources mobilized effectively and establishment of early active surveillance for contact tracing. Furthermore, the main aspects to be improved were lack of preparedness and existing surveillance systems and task shifting leading to impact on regular health services. The results of this study highlight the importance of developing information systems that are coherent with existing processes and resources, even in times of crisis.
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Reviewed by: Mohamed Elhakim, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt; Ligia Paina, Johns Hopkins University, United States
This article was submitted to Public Health Policy, a section of the journal Frontiers in Public Health
Edited by: Maria Del Rocio Saenz, University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica
ISSN:2296-2565
2296-2565
DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2022.909931