Bangkok Response to COVID-19 with Communities and Innovative Solutions
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Bangkok Response to COVID-19 with communities & innovative solutions WHO South-East Asia Region in Collaboration with National Health Commission Office1, Thailand and Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University2 Dr. Weerasak Putthasri1, Ms. Nanoot Mathurapote1, Ms. Khanitta Sae-iew1, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Sirima Mongkolsomlit2, Pol.Maj. Dr. Katiya Ivanovitch2, Dr. Nontiya Homkham2 March 2021 Disclaimer The views expressed in this publication represent the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Health Commission Office. No responsibility is accepted by the National Health Commission Office, its agencies and employees for any errors or omissions contained within this publication. While every reasonable effort has been made to verify the information in this publication, use of the information contained is at your sole risk. It is recommended that you independently verify the information before taking any action. The authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in this publication and they do not necessarily represent the views, decisions, or policies of the World Health Organization. Suggested citation: National Health Commission Office & World Health Organization South-East Asia, Bangkok Response to COVID-19 with communities & innovative solutions, National Health Commission Office, 2021. Foreword Thailand has demonstrated our health systems performance in responding to COVID-19 since the early phase of the pandemic through a good collaboration with citizens. We, the National Health Commission Office (NHCO) and allies also encouraged the community to make the social contract or local health charter to fight against COVID-19 and overcome the challenges of food security, info-demic and fake news, job loss and many aspects of quality of life. That is why today, we look forward to learning what the main role of the health sector is in relation to other sectors, especially at the subnational setting. The contents of the report capture roles of stakeholders in Bangkok in controlling COVID-19 and promoting health equity and reflecting how national operational plan are operated or adopted/adapted at the sub-national level. Social innovations from communities during the pandemic are documented and analyzed. What lessons can we draw from these case studies? Though there might not be a simple answer for implementation in other settings, it is still worth considering that we do require a collaboration with a range of stakeholders, across sectors both national and subnational levels to manage crises. Additionally, the report also provides important feedback to operationalize a community participation pillar along with analysis of key elements for equity outcomes for future response. Each study site contributes our understanding how to increase access to resources, food, share responsibilities, and strengthen ownership of activities by stakeholders. I am glad to see the report demonstrates the opportunity of the COVID-19 situation making the evidence of multisectoral collaboration visible. We also learned that it is important to develop platforms and dialogues to bring people together for collective actions, mobilizing to meet demands, voice concerns, and sharing wisdom which is synergized by working with formal and informal sectors. I conclude my part with big thanks to all contributors to this important report. Hopefully, we can utilize this Bangkok community experience to inspire more strengthened and sustainable collaboration and synergy in the future towards the genuine multisectoral collaboration and actions. Dr. Prateep Dhanakijcharoen Secretary-General The National Health Commission Foreword Health systems globally are under intense pressure not only to manage the COVID-19 threat, but maintain critical routine preventive and curative services in providing for the “health security” of the population. COVID-19 imposed conditions are exacerbated even more so in Low and Middle-Income Countries where health resources are already stretched, aside from COVID-19. And yet Thailand has been able to take advantage existing systems like the million plus network of “village health volunteers” and service health coverage that extends throughout the Kingdom, with emphasis on health promotion and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable. Thailand’s “triangle” that moves mountains strategy is designed to promote health equity, bringing together Social Movement, Policy Links, and Knowledge, rooted in multisectoralism. The impact of COVID-19 as evidenced by health, legal, political, economic, and societal disruptions have challenged the old norms, and there will be no going back to “business as usual”, even in a post-pandemic Thailand. All-the-while, this unprecedented threat has created unique opportunities in realizing the transformative role of multi-sector cooperation and coordination, in promoting sub-national resilience by seeking sustainable community-inspired solutions adapted to local circumstances. This report highlights the actions taken by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in localizing the response to COVID-19: 1) bringing together local stakeholders, including government, legal, civic and religious groups, NGOs, and the private sector; and 2) aligning with established organizations like the Community Organization Development Institute (CODI), to encourage the creation of organizing platforms, Community-Organization Councils, to advance community participation in localizing planning efforts. The four Bangkok communities studied in demonstrating the potential of this initiative in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 provide powerful example as to the success of this approach in localizing solutions through multi-sector community engagement and participation. The Lessons Learned from this examination have applicability well beyond Bangkok, and Thailand. Assoc.Prof. Sasitorn Taptagaporn, PhD Dean, Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University Foreword The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed, exploited and exacerbated inequalities that negatively impact health and socioeconomic outcomes between and among vulnerable groups. In all countries, the impact of the pandemic is likely to be more severe in low-income settings, due to limited healthcare capacity, weak social supports and limited access to preventive measures. Vulnerable populations are more commonly exposed to conditions that put them at risk of infection, and which risk their livelihood, the survival of their families, and distance them from social support. The social determinants of health are themselves mediated by a country’s socio-political context, the quality and reach of health services, and its commitment to applying a human rights-based approach to health care. These and other factors impact health literacy, nutritional status, food security, social support and employment opportunities. By better understanding the pathways that worsen existing inequities, decision-makers can more effectively develop and implement high- impact, multisectoral solutions that mitigate risk, target prevention and promote solidarity. Among other priority interventions highlighted in this report, decision-makers at the national and sub-national levels can collect high-quality, disaggregated data, and conduct spatial mapping of existing communities and their engagement with stakeholders. Most countries have disaggregated data on age and sex, however additional disaggregation would prove valuable. Communities in several of the Region’s countries have found innovative solutions to the challenges they have faced, which must continue to be documented and disseminated to empower others. Throughout the pandemic response, recovery and beyond, WHO will continue to support countries in the Region to identify and implement policies that promote health equity, and which ensure all people have access to the services they require to stay healthy and well. A fairer and healthier Region and world is possible. We must dare to be bold and achieve our vision. Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Sigh Regional Director WHO South-East Asia Regional Office Acknowledgements This case study book, Bangkok Response to COVID-19 with communities & innovative solutions, co-sponsored by the National Health Commission Office and the World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Office, was developed as a part of the WHO book on Social Determinants of Health and Equity concerns during COVID-19: Experiences from South-East Asia. The authors of this case study would like to sincerely thank the community members and the community leaders of the four community case studies as well as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officers for their contribution to the book and for sharing their experiences in responding COVID-19. The authors extend their thanks to Dr. Prateep Dhanakijcharoen, Secretary-General of the National Health Commission and Dr. Suvajee Good, Regional Advisor on Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health, the World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Office, who closely supervised this work. Table of Contents Part 01 Background Introduction 12 Objectives 13 Methods 14 Part 02 COVID-19 National Response to COVID-19 Epidemiology 17 Thailand’s health systems 19 The National Response to COVID-19 22 Part 03 Bangkok Response to COVID-19 Background 01 30 The Role of the BMA in response to COVID-19 32 Part 04 Community Participation and Innovative Solutions Wang Thong Lang 42 Bang Bon 44 Don Mueang 47 Thon Buri 50 Part 05 Summary and Discussion Meaningful community participation