Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis management in the Gaza Strip: A qualitative study.

Authors

Belal Aljamal, Ministry of Health, Gaza, PalestineFollow

Abstract

Aims of the study: The main aim of this study was to discover the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis management from health policymakers' perspective in the Gaza Strip. Methods: The researcher used a qualitative design, targeting 25health policymakers using a purposeful sampling technique and face-to-face semi-structured interviews to collect data. To analyze the interview data, the directed qualitative content analysis approach was used.

Results: All interviewees agreed that the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) managed the COVID-19pandemic well despite the insufficient resources and lack of experience. More specifically, the average of most participants’ assessments of Palestinian MoH “Preparedness” for the COVID-19 pandemic was 81%, and for “Response” was 83%. This study revealed 42 lessons learned with different frequencies (12 General lessons learned, 12 Lessons learned related to COVID-19 crisis management, five Lessons learned related to MoH administrative structures and components, seven Lessons related to staff and resources, and six Lessons learned related to IT and health information systems). Recommendations: The study recommended activating and enhancing the role of the Palestinian Public Health Emergency Operation Center (PHEOC) and doing further research in health crisis management.

Recommended Citation

Aljamal, Belal (2024) "Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis management in the Gaza Strip: A qualitative study.," Journal of the Arab American University مجلة الجامعة العربية الامريكية للبحوث: Vol. 10: Iss. 2, Article 10.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/aaup/vol10/iss2/10