Exploratory study of the localization of health crisis management during COVID-19 in Guinea
This study provides keys to understanding the management models adopted by national and local actors in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic in Guinea
Crisis management in Guinea
The COVID-19 pandemic is testing the resilience of health systems on a global scale. Guinea is facing cyclical epidemics and endemic diseases on its territory. In 2021, it had to manage the resurgence of Ebola in Forest Guinea at the same time as managing COVID-19 and other diseases with epidemic potential on its territory. Since the first Ebola epidemic (2013-2016) on its territory, the country has strengthened its health and crisis response systems, but remains dependent on international technical and financial partners. The objective of this project is to draw up a contextualized portrait of the location of health crisis management in Guinea through the study of the management of COVID-19, the resurgence of Ebola in February 2021 and other diseases.
Thinking about epidemics
This research compares the data collected in 2017 as part of Ms. Maltais’ doctoral thesis, entitled “Resilient management of health crises in fragile states: study of the Ebola crisis in Guinea”, and those collected in the present study through semi-structured interviews with important national and international stakeholders in the management of health crises in Guinea. This new study provides key information on how Guinea managed these crises and its management autonomy compared to the first Ebola epidemic. Its objectives are as follows:
1.Draw up a contextualized portrait of the location of health crisis management in Guinea;
2. Study the management of COVID-19 and the resurgence of Ebola in Guinea;
3. Provide recommendations to stakeholders involved in the management of health crises in Guinea for better localization of interventions.
Crisis management strategies
The literature highlights some achievements in terms of health crisis management in Guinea since the first Ebola epidemic. However, we know little about the current management of COVID-19 and the resurgence of Ebola in 2021. We do not know to what extent international technical and financial partners have been involved in relation to the epidemic that raged between 2013 and 2016. This research is designed to produce rapid results that can inform policies and strategies for crisis management of COVID-19 and other diseases with epidemic potential. Given that there is limited data on the management of COVID-19 in Guinea, this study can serve as a basis for understanding the management models adopted in the context of the pandemic.
Local actors in the scientific literature
There are few publications specific to the localization and appropriation of health crisis management in Guinea. This research therefore constitutes a basis in this area. It helps to fill the gap in knowledge about the role of national and local actors in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the analysis of the data collected, this research helps to expand the literature in various fields, including crisis management, public health and public policy.
Biography
Stéphanie Maltais holds a PhD in international development. She is doing a postdoctoral fellowship at the School of International Development and Global Studies at the University of Ottawa. Her expertise lies at the intersection of crisis management, global health and international development. Her doctoral thesis focused on health crisis management in fragile states with a case study on the Ebola epidemic in Guinea. As a research associate at several universities, her current research focuses on global health including inequalities in the face of COVID-19, the “One Health” approach to epidemic management, the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian humanitarian aid, the localization of aid, sexual violence in humanitarian contexts and resilience. In 2021, she received the Young Researcher Award from the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie.