Readiness and early response to Covid-19

Achievements, challenges and lessons learnt in Ethiopia

Bibliographic Data

ID21880601
AuthorsBetty Lanyero (0000-0002-8629-7663, World Health Organization - Pakistan, corresponding author), Zewdu Assefa Edea (0000-0002-9632-7643, Ethiopian Public Health Institute), Emmanuel Onuche Musa (World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa), Shambel Habebe Watare (0000-0002-5554-4027, Ethiopian Public Health Institute), Mayur Lalji Mandalia (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa), Martin Chibueze Livinus, Faiqa Kassim Ebrahim, Abiy Girmay, Aggrey Kaijuka Bategereza, Aschalew Abayneh (0000-0002-0091-1731, Ethiopian Public Health Institute), Boureima Hama Sambo, Ebba Abate (Ethiopian Public Health Institute)
Year2021
Volume6
Issue6
Pagese005581
Publication date2021-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMJ Global Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2059-7908 • E-ISSN: 2059-7908
PublisherBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005581
PMID34112648
OpenAlexW3169789856
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited8

Declaration of the novel coronavirus disease as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern necessitated countries to get ready to respond. Here, we describe key achievements, challenges and lessons learnt during the readiness and early response to COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Readiness activities commenced as early as January 2020 with the activation of a national Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and COVID-19 Incident Management System (IMS) by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. The COVID-19 IMS conducted rapid risk assessments, developed scenario-based contingency plans, national COVID-19 guidelines and facilitated the enhancement of early warning and monitoring mechanisms. Early activation of a coordination mechanism and strengthening of detection and response capacities contributed to getting the country ready on time and mounting an effective early response. High-level political leadership and commitment led to focused efforts in coordination of response interventions. Health screening, mandatory 14-day quarantine and testing established for all international travellers arriving into the country slowed down the influx of travellers. The International Health Regulations (IHR) capacities in the country served as a good foundation for timely readiness and response. Leveraging on existing IHR capacities in the country built prior to COVID-19 helped slow down the importation and mitigated uncontrolled spread of the disease in the country. Challenges experienced included late operationalisation of a multisectoral coordination platform, shortage of personal protective equipment resulting from global disruption of importation and the huge influx of over 10 000 returnees from different COVID-19-affected countries over a short period of time with resultant constrain on response resources

Business · Contingency plan · Declaration · Disease · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Global health · International Health Regulations · Pandemic · Personal protective equipment · Political science · Psychological intervention · Public health · Quarantine · Warning system · COVID-19 epidemiological studies · Engineering · Medicine · Nursing · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy · Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research