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. 2020 May 22;35(Suppl 2):46.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2020.35.2.23574. eCollection 2020.

Implementing COVID-19 response within the context of the broader health system: a proposed framework for Africa´s policy makers

Abdu Abdullahi Adamu  1   2 , Rabiu Ibrahim Jalo  3 , Abdulkarim Ibrahim Dahiru  4 , Charles Shey Wiysonge  1   2   5
Affiliations

Implementing COVID-19 response within the context of the broader health system: a proposed framework for Africa´s policy makers

Abdu Abdullahi Adamu et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Heads of government in Africa responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by setting up high-level task forces at continental and national levels to coordinate preparedness and response strategies, in a bid to mitigate the spread of this virus on the continent. However, the current strategy at both continental and national levels are narrowly focused on COVID-19 and this is not sustainable. This is because Africa has a high burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases and sustaining access to essential life-saving health services is also critical during this pandemic. Therefore, we call for a more holistic health systems-based model for COVID-19 outbreak response. We recommend that response strategies should be transitioned from vertical isolated programmes to a broad-based "time-bound" integrated health system intervention that links with existing health programmes as well as other government and non-governmental sectors.

Keywords: Africa; COVID-19; health system.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Adaptation of Moore’s strategic triangle to a systems strengthening COVID-19 response
Figure 2
Figure 2
Logic framework for implementing COVID-19 response within the broader health systems context
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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