Zarządzanie kryzysem zdrowotnym w pierwszym półroczu pandemii COVID-19. Analiza porównawcza na podstawie opinii ekspertów z wybranych krajów

Abstract

Public governance of the health crisis in the first six months of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Comparative analysis based on the opinions of experts from selected countries From among the numerous analyses of the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors looked for those that would enable assessment of institutional solutions. They put forward the thesis that good institutions (with appropriate regulations, means and expert support) constitute an essential resource enabling fast, accurate, and effective measures in terms of protection and therapy. The authors turned to experts from other countries with whom they have been cooperating for many years in the field of public health and used their competences in the field to answer questions about public governance in the first six months of the pandemic outbreak (January to June 2020) when lockdowns were widely implemented and then gradually lifted. Particularly significant for the assessment of health crisis management, the experts chose countries that are diverse in terms of: state of decentralization, social structure, and resources available, as well as healthcare organization and political tradition in dispute resolution. Reports from Italy, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Canada (with focus on Ontario) – attached as an appendix – were supplemented with direct consultations. The comparative analysis of the obtained information and the exchange of opinions are the subject of this article. In the comparative analysis, we also refer to Polish activities and solutions. The Polish perspective of public management signifies a concern for the neglected area of public health. This article is enriched with the authors’ reflections and generally formulated recommendations.