COVID-19 and resilience of healthcare systems in ten countries
Issued Date
2022-06-01
Resource Type
ISSN
10788956
eISSN
1546170X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85126264194
Pubmed ID
35288697
Journal Title
Nature Medicine
Volume
28
Issue
6
Start Page
1314
End Page
1324
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Nature Medicine Vol.28 No.6 (2022) , 1314-1324
Suggested Citation
Arsenault C., Gage A., Kim M.K., Kapoor N.R., Akweongo P., Amponsah F., Aryal A., Asai D., Awoonor-Williams J.K., Ayele W., Bedregal P., Doubova S.V., Dulal M., Gadeka D.D., Gordon-Strachan G., Mariam D.H., Hensman D., Joseph J.P., Kaewkamjornchai P., Eshetu M.K., Gelaw S.K., Kubota S., Leerapan B., Margozzini P., Mebratie A.D., Mehata S., Moshabela M., Mthethwa L., Nega A., Oh J., Park S., Passi-Solar Á., Pérez-Cuevas R., Phengsavanh A., Reddy T., Rittiphairoj T., Sapag J.C., Thermidor R., Tlou B., Valenzuela Guiñez F., Bauhoff S., Kruk M.E. COVID-19 and resilience of healthcare systems in ten countries. Nature Medicine Vol.28 No.6 (2022) , 1314-1324. 1324. doi:10.1038/s41591-022-01750-1 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/83729
Title
COVID-19 and resilience of healthcare systems in ten countries
Author(s)
Arsenault C.
Gage A.
Kim M.K.
Kapoor N.R.
Akweongo P.
Amponsah F.
Aryal A.
Asai D.
Awoonor-Williams J.K.
Ayele W.
Bedregal P.
Doubova S.V.
Dulal M.
Gadeka D.D.
Gordon-Strachan G.
Mariam D.H.
Hensman D.
Joseph J.P.
Kaewkamjornchai P.
Eshetu M.K.
Gelaw S.K.
Kubota S.
Leerapan B.
Margozzini P.
Mebratie A.D.
Mehata S.
Moshabela M.
Mthethwa L.
Nega A.
Oh J.
Park S.
Passi-Solar Á.
Pérez-Cuevas R.
Phengsavanh A.
Reddy T.
Rittiphairoj T.
Sapag J.C.
Thermidor R.
Tlou B.
Valenzuela Guiñez F.
Bauhoff S.
Kruk M.E.
Gage A.
Kim M.K.
Kapoor N.R.
Akweongo P.
Amponsah F.
Aryal A.
Asai D.
Awoonor-Williams J.K.
Ayele W.
Bedregal P.
Doubova S.V.
Dulal M.
Gadeka D.D.
Gordon-Strachan G.
Mariam D.H.
Hensman D.
Joseph J.P.
Kaewkamjornchai P.
Eshetu M.K.
Gelaw S.K.
Kubota S.
Leerapan B.
Margozzini P.
Mebratie A.D.
Mehata S.
Moshabela M.
Mthethwa L.
Nega A.
Oh J.
Park S.
Passi-Solar Á.
Pérez-Cuevas R.
Phengsavanh A.
Reddy T.
Rittiphairoj T.
Sapag J.C.
Thermidor R.
Tlou B.
Valenzuela Guiñez F.
Bauhoff S.
Kruk M.E.
Author's Affiliation
Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Ghana
Caribbean Institute for Health Research
Minister for Health and Population Nepal
Federal Ministry of Health - Ethiopia
Addis Ababa University
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
South African Medical Research Council
Organisation Mondiale de la Santé
University of Ghana
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social
Seoul National University College of Medicine
National Health Insurance Service
Office of the Member of Federal Parliament Gagan Kumar Thapa
Division of Social Protection and Health
Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais
Ministry of Public Health and Population
University of Health Sciences
Caribbean Institute for Health Research
Minister for Health and Population Nepal
Federal Ministry of Health - Ethiopia
Addis Ababa University
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
South African Medical Research Council
Organisation Mondiale de la Santé
University of Ghana
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social
Seoul National University College of Medicine
National Health Insurance Service
Office of the Member of Federal Parliament Gagan Kumar Thapa
Division of Social Protection and Health
Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais
Ministry of Public Health and Population
University of Health Sciences
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Declines in health service use during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic could have important effects on population health. In this study, we used an interrupted time series design to assess the immediate effect of the pandemic on 31 health services in two low-income (Ethiopia and Haiti), six middle-income (Ghana, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa and Thailand) and high-income (Chile and South Korea) countries. Despite efforts to maintain health services, disruptions of varying magnitude and duration were found in every country, with no clear patterns by country income group or pandemic intensity. Disruptions in health services often preceded COVID-19 waves. Cancer screenings, TB screening and detection and HIV testing were most affected (26–96% declines). Total outpatient visits declined by 9–40% at national levels and remained lower than predicted by the end of 2020. Maternal health services were disrupted in approximately half of the countries, with declines ranging from 5% to 33%. Child vaccinations were disrupted for shorter periods, but we estimate that catch-up campaigns might not have reached all children missed. By contrast, provision of antiretrovirals for HIV was not affected. By the end of 2020, substantial disruptions remained in half of the countries. Preliminary data for 2021 indicate that disruptions likely persisted. Although a portion of the declines observed might result from decreased needs during lockdowns (from fewer infectious illnesses or injuries), a larger share likely reflects a shortfall of health system resilience. Countries must plan to compensate for missed healthcare during the current pandemic and invest in strategies for better health system resilience for future emergencies.