The Study of Management Disease Control Prevention Covid-19 Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

Abstract

          This mixed methods research consisted of quantitative and qualitative method. This study aimed to study the management of the COVID-19 prevention and control in the special economic development zone at Ban Khlong Luek international disease control checkpoint, Aranyaprathet district, Sakaeo province, Thailand. The population and the sampling group were purposively selected, totaling 435 individuals as follows: 1) Five officers involved in the COVID-19 management, prevention and control, 2) twenty stakeholders in the network and 3) four hundred and ten people who received the services at the checkpoint. The research tools were the interview and questionnaire. The content analysis and descriptive statistics were employed by number and percentage. The study found that the studied checkpoints had 4 aspects of the COVID-19 prevention and control: 1) organization, 2) leadership, 3) preparation of action plans, and 4) supervision, monitoring and evaluation. There was a comprehensive management process in terms of those 4 aspects. The overall people's satisfaction receiving services in various aspects of the studied checkpoints were at the highest level.

          The most successful factors that were implemented following the plan were the disease prevention and control mechanisms according to the communicable disease act 2015 through the provincial communicable disease committee. The surveillance and screening procedures for travelers and vehicles have been implemented in accordance with the guidelines that the center for COVID-19 situation administration has properly defined. The officials received knowledge transfer and were trained to fulfill their duties accurately and rapidly. There was a clear operational manual. There was an organizational structure and work flow that were easy to operate and convenient for users and the executives at all relevant levels paid attention.

          Regarding the opportunity to improve the COVID-19 prevention and control management were the problem of insufficient personnel, which resulted in an "overwhelming workload", so that the screening efficiency had to be increased in both personnel tools/equipment, increased the screening coverage at other areas such as temporary checkpoints, and integrated the implementation of the COVID-19 prevention and control process of the network to create the cooperation, putting emphasis on the private sector partnership and providing the clear guidelines.