Capability of Public Health Emergency Management amidst the Covid-19 pandemic in Nonthaburi Province

Abstract

Qualitative research aimed to evaluate the capability of Public Health Emergency Management in cases of COVID-19 at Nonthaburi Province with the tool development for evaluating the capability of Public Health Emergency Management in cases of COVID-19 at the provincial level, to explain the management procedures and work processes under the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Nonthaburi Province, and to determine factors associated with Public Health Emergency Management. The study was carried out in a sample group including incident commanders, section chiefs, and the operators at the provincial level, covering 12 function groups. The results found that Public Health Emergency Operations Center of Nonthaburi Province had the capability to emergency management according to the structure of the Incident Command System (ICS) consisting of 12 functions, with all functions clearly defined responsibility. All functions had the same goal to control the spread of the COVID-19 in Nonthaburi, with the introduction of Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM), which important component of the EOC consisting of (1) Staff, surge capacity manpower from all levels, all departments, all work groups and all aspects to carry out surveillance, prevention and control of the COVID-19 under the same measures in provincial level. (2) Stuff, In each mission group, technology was introduced in the operation which may have different technology details to meet the goals of each mission group and (3) System, Public Health Emergency Operations was established in a special format; operators in each function performed their regular responsibilities along with their roles within the structure of the incident command system, and directly reported to the incident commander. The incident command system of the public health emergency operations center, Nonthaburi is top-down; the incident commander will relay commands down to the incident commander system (ICS) of Nonthaburi Province. Leaders' decisions based on strong public health information sy.0stem and the cooperation of all sectors, including the government, private sector, and civil. This is important for helping to control the spread of COVID-19 or Emerging Infectious Diseases that may occur in the future efficiently and in a timely manner.