Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic are shaping how different sectors prepare for future health crises. These lessons are especially pertinent as countries and organizations analyze their responses, paving the way for improved systems and practices.
Back in September 2023, the prestigious Institut Pasteur invited experts from 13 Western European nations to Paris for a meeting to gather insights from their experiences during the pandemic. This convening aimed to peel back the layers of the pandemic's impacts and encapsulate the practices and approaches deemed successful or lacking. The outcome was a comprehensive paper published recently in BMC Global and Public Health, detailing the key findings.
One of the main findings highlighted by the experts was the importance of early intervention. Countries embracing early restrictive measures, all the whilst their healthcare systems had adequate capacity, tended to enjoy lower excess mortality rates. For example, Scandinavian countries and Ireland reported significantly lower excess mortality compared to nations like Italy, which experienced substantially harsher impacts, indicating how timing can be pivotal.
The report detailed excess mortality data — the number of deaths exceeding what would be expected under normal circumstances. The study underscored the higher cumulative excess mortality recorded during the period from January 2020 to June 2022, with Italy suffering rates of 2.7 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants during this time, compared to just 0.5 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants in places like Denmark and Norway.
Equally concerning is the need for effective monitoring and tracking systems, which can swiftly assess the spread of COVID-19 within communities and its pressure on health facilities. Experts asserted across all meetings the urgent need for enhanced surveillance systems, which can quickly adapt to any future health crisis triggered by infectious diseases.
Meanwhile, the pandemic also led to financial upheavals rippling across various sectors, particularly affecting non-governmental organizations (NGOs). A recent study conducted by Kaunas University of Technology revealed how NGOs faced mixed consequences during the pandemic. According to Dr. Šviesa Leitonienė, the head researcher, many NGOs witnessed increased demand for their services as communities grappled with the fallout of the pandemic. Yet, they also faced severe challenges, particularly around fundraising efforts, as traditional methods came to halt due to imposed restrictions.
Dr. Leitonienė noted, "Some organizations decided to ‘wait out’ the difficult period, thinking things would return to normal soon. On the flip side, other NGOs adapted and found innovative ways to continue their work and even improve their financial standings.” She emphasized learning from those adaptive success stories is potent for future planning.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, NGOs working to support the community not only shifted their focus to pandemic-related issues but also leveraged technology for virtual fundraising. This approach has proven effective as they currently utilize the tactics honed during the pandemic to mobilize support for humanitarian efforts, including the response to the war crisis in Ukraine.
The researchers studied 240 NGOs from across four countries, investigating their financial stability before and during the pandemic through comparisons of revenue data from 2019 and 2020. They employed various methods to analyze changes, pinpointing success strategies like collaboration with governments and other NGOs, which allowed these organizations to pool resources together for collective action.
Notably, the pandemic has sparked conversations about the growing significance of public trust and transparency within the NGO sector. Dr. Leitonienė observed, "Transparent organizations are more likely to thrive because they earn the public’s trust. Increased disclosure of financial information can encourage greater community engagement.”
A variety of factors contributed to the NGOs' financial success during the pandemic, including forming partnerships with governmental bodies, launching virtual fundraising campaigns, and embracing joint ventures for operational efficiency. All this contributed to maintaining, if not increasing, funding during challenging times.
Conversely, the pandemic's aftershocks still cast long shadows on mental health and emotional well-being, highlighting the need for holistic solutions. Emerging research suggests addressing not just the physical health aspects but also focusing on mental wellness to create comprehensive care strategies. This leads to important discussions within healthcare domains about the necessity of flexibility and adaptability during crises, urging global health systems to reconsider their approaches.