Best Practices in Health Emergency Management: Lessons from COVID-19 Response

Abstract

The local government units (LGUs) in the First District of Negros Oriental confronted significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research article aims to identify and analyze the best practices in health emergency and risk reduction management responses within the district. The study focuses on several critical dimensions: Policies, strategies, and legislation; Planning and coordination; Human resources; Financial resources; Information and knowledge management; Risk communications; Health infrastructure and logistics; and Health and related services. Employing a mixed-method design, the research draws on the framework of Social Systems Theory, particularly emphasizing its four functional imperatives: adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and latency. These imperatives serve as lenses to understand how the LGUs navigated and responded to the evolving challenges posed by the pandemic. In 2020, the district recorded 166 COVID-19 cases, a number that sharply increased to 2,440 in 2021, underscoring the escalating impact of the virus over time. The study identifies several sub-themes encapsulating the best practices of the LGUs in health emergency and risk reduction management. These include pro-active adaptation, emphasizing the importance of anticipating and swiftly responding to emerging challenges; the principle that frequency is key, highlighting the significance of consistent and regular actions; the more the merrier, signifying the value of deploying adequate human resources; busy bank accounts, reflecting the essential role of sufficient financial resources; official "marites" and "marites at work," emphasizing effective communication strategies; and build-build-build, symbolizing investments in health infrastructure to enhance response capabilities. These practices are not merely reactive measures to address inconsistencies in national government policy implementation but are rooted in the LGUs' proactive adoption of functional imperatives. By analyzing these dimensions and sub-themes, this research aims to provide insights into effective strategies for managing health emergencies at the local level, contributing to broader efforts in pandemic preparedness and response planning.