Impact Stories

How LMIC Governments Can Turn an Emergency Response into Long-term Sustainable Impact:

Examples from Uganda and Cote d’Ivoire on COVID-19 Programs Implemented with a Sustainability Lens

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the reliance of sub-Saharan African governments on donor funding and NGO support. The challenge was balancing immediate responses with long-term priorities to achieve Universal Health Coverage. These case studies examine how Uganda and Cote d’Ivoire managed their COVID-19 responses while focusing on sustainability. 

Webinar facilitated by Spark Health Africa at the 2022 Skoll World Forum

Uganda Case: Key Pillars of the Government’s Response

Challenge

Dual threat to emergency & essential services.

Approach

The Ministry of Health developed a scenario-based response plan, activated a national taskforce, and coordinated efforts through the Office of the Prime Minister across nine critical areas.

Critical Actions

  • Ring-fenced financial and human resources. 

  • Integrated COVID-19 responses into essential health services. 

  • Invested in local intensive care units and 160 additional ambulances. 

  • Enhanced local oxygen supply. 

  • Centralized coordination and expanded disease surveillance. 

  • Improved logistics for test kits. 

Cote d’Ivoire Case: Key Pillars of the Government’s Response 

Challenge

Multifaceted impact of COVID-19.

Approach

Adopted a multi-sectoral approach with legal frameworks, political buy-in, and transparency through a scientific committee in contact with WHO. 

Critical Actions

  • Strengthened human resources through training and recruitment. 

  • Expanded testing coverage with mobile and free services. 

  • Decentralized critical care and used hotels as isolation units. 

  • Integrated non-communicable disease programs into the COVID-19 response. 

  • Alleviated the burden on frontline workers by integrating COVID-19 vaccination into the national immunization program. 

Conclusion

Uganda and Cote d’Ivoire demonstrated how emergency responses could be integrated into long-term strategies, emphasizing government leadership, resilient health systems, and community trust to achieve sustainable impacts beyond the pandemic. 

Cross-cutting Outcomes and Key Lessons 

  • Leadership: Centralized, multisectoral government leadership was crucial. 

  • Resilience: Leveraged past crisis experiences (e.g., Ebola) for rapid response. 

  • Investment: Enhanced infrastructure, such as oxygen supply and emergency transportation, provided lasting benefits. 

  • Trust and Transparency: Engaged communities as co-creators, fostering trust and ensuring sustainable interventions. 

Looking beyond COVID: Turning emergency response into sustainable impact

(2022)

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