Addressing Gaps for Health Systems Strengthening: A Public Perspective on Health Systems’ Response towards COVID-19

Nur Zahirah Balqis-Ali, Weng Hong Fun, Munirah Ismail, Rui Jie Ng, Faeiz Syezri Adzmin Jaaffar and Lee Lan Low
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Nur Zahirah Balqis-Ali: Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam 40170, Selangor, Malaysia
Weng Hong Fun: Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam 40170, Selangor, Malaysia
Munirah Ismail: Institute for Health Management, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam 40170, Selangor, Malaysia
Rui Jie Ng: Institute for Health Management, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam 40170, Selangor, Malaysia
Faeiz Syezri Adzmin Jaaffar: Institute for Health Management, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam 40170, Selangor, Malaysia
Lee Lan Low: Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam 40170, Selangor, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-23

Abstract: Strengthening the health systems through gaps identification is necessary to ensure sustainable improvements especially in facing a debilitating outbreak such as COVID-19. This study aims to explore public perspective on health systems’ response towards COVID-19, and to identify gaps for health systems strengthening by leveraging on WHO health systems’ building blocks. A qualitative study was conducted using open-ended questions survey among public followed by in-depth interviews with key informants. Opinions on Malaysia’s health systems response towards COVID-19 were gathered. Data were exported to NVIVO version 12 and analysed using content analysis approach. The study identified various issues on health systems’ response towards COVID-19, which were then mapped into health systems’ building blocks. The study showed the gaps were embedded among complex interactions between the health systems building blocks. The leadership and governance building block had cross-cutting effects, and all building blocks influenced service deliveries. Understanding the complexities in fostering whole-systems strengthening through a holistic measure in facing an outbreak was paramount. Applying systems thinking in addressing gaps could help addressing the complexity at a macro level, including consideration of how an action implicates other building blocks and approaching the governance effort in a more adaptive manner to develop resilient systems.

Keywords: health systems strengthening; health systems building blocks; systems thinking; COVID-19; Malaysia; outbreak; epidemic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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