COVID-19: responding to a pandemic on Operation TORAL

Abstract

Operation TORAL was the UK's contribution to NATO's Operation RESOLUTE SUPPORT in Kabul, Afghanistan. Approximately 1000 British troops were deployed in Kabul when the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan was declared. This article will describe the challenges faced due to COVID-19 in Kabul.Medical planning considerations, occupational health issues, implementation of behaviour change and operating as part of a multinational organisation are all discussed, with challenges encountered detailed and potential solutions offered. The use of a suggested framework for ensuring the medical estimate process covered all areas relevant to an emerging viral pandemic -the 4Ds and 4Cs approach-proved particularly useful in the early stages of the pandemic in Afghanistan.

Keywords: COVID-19; health policy; infection control; organisation of health services; public health.