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Lessons Learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic: Opportunities and Challenges to Leverage the Global Fund Investments in HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
19 Pages Posted: 27 Mar 2024
More...Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic strained public health infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries leading them to leverage resources of existing public health programs including HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. This manuscript systematically documents how these programs were used in the response to understand both the barriers and facilitators encountered in the process.
Methods: From March through August 2023, we conducted 72 structured interviews with staff in 13 countries who played central roles in the response. Countries were purposively selected from the pool of countries that receive Global Fund support, are classed as LMIC by the World Bank, and speak either French or English. Semi-structured, in-depth, individual interviews collected data on experiences, challenges, and lessons learned during COVID-19 response, and recommendations for future pandemics. A content and thematic analysis using the framework method was used to identify how resources were leveraged in the response and what facilitated or hindered their engagement.
Findings: All interviewees reported leveraging of HIV, TB, and malaria resources, notably contributing personnel to the response and use of laboratory networks to support COVID-19 testing. Surveillance systems, community networks, infection control, and active case finding were also used. Challenges included lack of cross-training among healthcare workers, non-integrated systems, and slow funding procedures.
Interpretation: HIV, TB, and malaria programs were important in COVID-19 response. Funding agencies should consider the use of program-specific infrastructure in emergency response when planning program-specific financing.
Funding: The Global Fund provided financial support for the project activities through a grant to the Task Force for Global Health.
Declaration of Interest: None declared.
Ethical Approval: This work was reviewed and approved by the ethics review board at the TFGH. All interviewees provided written or verbal informed consent prior to being interviewed.
Keywords: COVID-19 response, HIV, tuberculosis, Malaria, Leveraging investments, Pandemic preparedness
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