A Framework for Improving Policy Priorities in Managing COVID-19 Challenges in Developing Countries

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to societies and threatened humanity and global resilience. All countries are challenged, but low-income and developing countries are facing a more challenging situation than others due to their limited health infrastructure, limited financial and human resources, and limited capacity of governments to respond. Further, the interconnected nature of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis demands an integrated approach and coordinated action, which complicates decision making even more. Identifying the best set of policies and instruments to address COVID-19 challenges, and aligning them with broader social goals will be critically important for sustainable recovery from the pandemic. The key practical challenge facing the policy makers of developing countries is how to prioritize policies to achieve the interconnected goals of managing the health crisis, recovering the economy, and achieving environmental sustainability. We present a framework for identifying and prioritizing policy actions to address the COVID-19 challenges and ensure sustainable recovery. The framework outlines principles and criteria and provides insights into developing shared policy goals, identifying smart strategies, assessing policy compatibility, aligning policy instruments, and factoring sustainability into short and long-term policy decisions. This framework can assist policy makers in linking short and long-term goals, mapping the interactions of different policy options, and assessing anticipated consequences and cross-sectoral implications. This will enable policy makers to prioritize policy choices and allocate limited resources in such a way that they are directed toward actions that generate synergy and co-benefits, have multiplier effects, and achieve interconnected solutions for health, the economy and environment.

How Well the Government of Nepal Is Responding to COVID-19? An Experience From a Resource-Limited Country to Confront Unprecedented Pandemic

“…As suggested by Torres et al ( 44 ), this pandemic has worsened social equality in low-income countries including Nepal, and this needs to be addressed mainly by prioritizing marginalized and vulnerable populations. As reported in Nepal ( 37 ) and elsewhere ( 38 ) some patients show viral shedding 14 days after an initial positive test and may pose a risk of transferring the infection to a cluster or the broader community, therefore extending the current quarantine period of 14 days is recommended to minimize the spread of the virus. The Nepalese government should pay special attention to mass testing and quarantine management via the effective coordination of its three tiers of government (federal, provincial and local) to control rapidly spreading SARS-CoV-2 in the local communities.…”

“…It is also crucial that the government provide political space for adjusting and reversing decisions made. Government authorities need to engage the private sector in COVID management ( 37 ), which is not happening, with a few exceptions.…”

What Can COVID-19 Teach Us about Using AI in Pandemics?

“…Better predictions about a pandemic’s course enable more effective deployment of healthcare and societal resources [ 64 , 92 ]. Assessment of the likelihood of patient’s survival during initial triage and hospitalization may augment the allocation of healthcare assets on the level of a ward, hospital, or larger geographical area.…”

Socio-Economic Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic in South Asia: Emerging Risks and Growing Challenges

“…COVID-19 has posed unique challenges to the South Asian economies due to the region’s large population and high rates of poverty, deplorable health infrastructures, poor socio-economic conditions, inadequate social protection systems, limited access to water and sanitation facilities and inadequate living space arrangements ( Rasul, 2020 ; Hossain, et al, 2020 ). South Asia is one of the poorest regions in the world: about one-third of the world’s poor live in this region with about 70 per cent living in rural areas and primarily dependent on agriculture.…”

“…Similarly, 36 percent of the children were stunted and 16 percent were acutely malnourished. The situation is likely to worsen further due to the effect of COVID-19 ( Rasul, 2020 ).…”