John Tumbo

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa

Title: After Action Review (AAR) of the COVID-19 pandemic response in North West Province, South Africa

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV2) caused COVID-19 pandemic with major disruptions globally. In response, Department of Health in one of the nine provinces (Northwest Province) of South Africa set up comprehensive epidemiological emergency response plans for preventing, finding, containing, and stopping the spread of COVID-19 in accordance with the National Disaster Management Act.

The After Action Review (AAR) covering period from September 2020 to October 2022, was conducted using World Health Organization AAR methodology employing qualitative and participatory approaches. Focus groups discussed five critical entities: Coordination, leadership, and governance; Epidemiology, surveillance, and laboratory; case management and continuity of essential services; Risk communication and community engagement and COVID-19 vaccination.

The review found that the timely establishment and activation of provincial intergovernmental and intersectoral coordinating structures led to effective coordination, resource mobilization, leadership, decision-making and delivery of COVID 19 vaccination. The effective communication in the department and other stakeholders resulted in improved surveillance data quality, timelier response and increased ownership of data. Dissemination, training and implementation of case management protocols ensured standardized case management. The multi-channel information dissemination targeting different audiences, empowered people with real-time knowledge on prevention and protection from infection and encouraged health-seeking behaviors.

In conclusion, the AAR demonstrated the importance of coordinated epidemiological, laboratory and communication response that requires significant public health reserve capacity in peacetime for rapid expansion in emergency.This review contributes to the body of knowledge emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and provides guidance on enhanced public health response to future emergencies.

Biography

John Tumbo is Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in South Africa. His qualifications include Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), Masters in Family Medicine (MMed), Fellowship of the College of Family Physicians (FCFP). His research interests are in Infectious Diseases, Non Communicable Diseases and Medical Education. He has over 50 publications that have been cited over 809 times. He has been serving as an editorial board member and reviewer of several journals.

4th International Conference on Oncology and Research Treatment

John Tumbo

Title: After Action Review (AAR) of the COVID-19 pandemic response in North West Province, South Africa

Abstract

Biography

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