Public Health Academic Alliance for COVID-19 Response: The Role of a National Medical Task Force in Puerto Rico

Marcia Cruz-Correa, Elba C. Díaz-Toro, Jorge L. Falcón, Enid J. García-Rivera, Humberto M. Guiot, Wanda T. Maldonado-Dávila, Karen G. Martínez, William Méndez-Latalladi, Cynthia M. Pérez, Myrna L. Quiñones-Feliciano, Juan Carlos Reyes, Pablo Rodríguez, Jorge Santana-Bagur, Luis C. Torrellas, Dharma Vázquez, Guillermo J. Vázquez and Segundo Rodríguez-Quilichini
Additional contact information
Marcia Cruz-Correa: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Elba C. Díaz-Toro: Department of Restorative Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Jorge L. Falcón: Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Enid J. García-Rivera: Endowed Health Services Research Center, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Humberto M. Guiot: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Wanda T. Maldonado-Dávila: School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Karen G. Martínez: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
William Méndez-Latalladi: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Cynthia M. Pérez: Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Myrna L. Quiñones-Feliciano: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Juan Carlos Reyes: Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Pablo Rodríguez: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Jorge Santana-Bagur: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Luis C. Torrellas: Menonita Health System, Aibonito 00705, Puerto Rico, USA
Dharma Vázquez: Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Guillermo J. Vázquez: Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA
Segundo Rodríguez-Quilichini: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-14

Abstract: Alliances between the government and academic communities can be a key component of the public health response to an emergency such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Governor of Puerto Rico designated the Puerto Rico Medical Task Force (MTF) COVID-19 to provide direct guidance and evaluation of the government response to the epidemic in Puerto Rico. Several work groups were formed within the MTF to create protocols and provide evidence-based recommendations on different public health aspects. The collaboration between the academia and the government enhanced the Puerto Rican public health response and contributed to the reduction seen in the contagion curve. Healthcare services and hospitals have not reached their maximum patient care capacity and the death toll has been controlled. Incorporating a national MTF with members of the academia into the government structure was beneficial during the COVID-19 response in Puerto Rico. A similar strategy could serve as a model for other states or territories and countries in similar scenarios.

Keywords: COVID-19; preparedness; Puerto Rico; Medical Task Force; public health; academic alliance; crisis management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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