RESILIENCE OF EU HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS

Abstract

The article highlights the critical role of health­care system resilience in responding effectively to public health crises, with a particular emphasis on financing, effectiveness, and preparedness. It delves into a comparative analysis of healthcare costs and system effectiveness in several EU countries, revealing that higher expenditure doesnʼt always equate to greater resilience. The article also highlights the lack of investment in preventing measures, even in econo­mically developed countries, resulting in minimal improvements in healthcare system resilience. It has been noted that there is no correlation between strict government measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare system effectiveness. The importance of synergy between government epidemic control actions and healthcare system resilience is emphasized. The key factors that influenced healthcare system resilience during the pandemic, including proactive prepa­redness, resource allocation, data analytics capabi­lities, communication, public trust, and adaptive policies have been identified in the research. To enhance healthcare system resilience, it is recom­mended to focus on financial resilience, healthcare personnel resilience, and health infrastructure resilience. Strategies to achieve this include effective governance, flexible financing, resource availability, and adaptable service delivery. The multifaceted nature of healthcare system resilience and the need for a comprehensive approach to its provision in the conditions of emergency situations in the field of healthcare are emphasized. The authorsʼ analysis reveals a complex interplay of factors that contribute to healthcare system resilience, which can be used by government officials as a roadmap for strengthening the healthcare systems in the context of future challenges.