PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF CORONAVIRUS 2019, KALASIN PROVINCE

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to explore the context and problems of Coronavirus 2019 pandemic, and also investigate the public health emergency management strategies for disease control and prevention of Coronavirus 2019 in Kalasin Province. Participants were 41 persons selected by purposive sampling including the provincial administrative groups and the district groups in five districts. Data were collected by related documents, in-depth interviews and focus groups and analyzed by thematic analysis.

The results revealed Kalasin Province applied the function of the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee to control the situation and issued the provincial orders attached by the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee reports sending to all district mayors for following to prevent and control the disease. Regarding to the orders, the district mayors and public health sectors needed to work together formulating the Incident Command System (ICS) for administrating and controlling the threatened situations. In addition, working together as four musketeers, using the measure of DMHT and social distancing, closing the risky places, as well as using the medical measures related to developing professional skills of personnel and preparing essential sufficiently equipment showing as New Normal of Medical Services were employed.

These measures were applied alongside the communication plans, taking care of psychological health of citizens and health personnel, vaccine management and business sustainability plan. Therefore, administration, command, networking participation, using public health, medical and social measures, communication, supporting psychological health of citizens and health personnel should be considered for employing to control and prevent other emerging infectious diseases in the future.