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Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Global health care during COVID-19

converted into red zones. Access to these zones was strictly viral infection and were typically unfamiliar with infectious
limited to personnel wearing full personal protective disease precautions; therefore, comprehensive training was
equipment. The transformation of standard hospitals into highly important for them (Kim et al., 2020).
specialized COVID-19 care units required the expertise of
key healthcare personnel, particularly infectious disease 6.1. Hospital requirements for COVID-19 prevention
specialists skilled in patient management and infection and intensive treatment
control. Smartphones were placed in each ward of many The key difficulty during the COVID-19 pandemic
hospitals to minimize the amount of time healthcare was that a vast number of people became infected. The
personnel spent in the wards and reduce the risk of virus infection rate for this sickness was exceptionally high,
transmission. These devices were used for communication leading to a large number of people falling ill at the same
between healthcare workers and patients through video time. To minimize COVID-19 transmission, healthcare
calls before physical ward rounds. Furthermore, task forces organizations enforced measures, such as self-sanitization
created a specialized recovery ward to distinguish between and social distancing. The first critical measure taken by
recuperating patients and those in critical condition. the health and associated sectors was to ensure a sufficient
These COVID-19 critical care units required specialized supply of alcohol-based sanitizers and protective face
medical technologies, such as extracorporeal membrane masks, both essential for public safety. Intending to serve
oxygenation systems and mechanical ventilators (Mondal the public, national, regional, and local governments,
& Munshi, 2023). along with healthcare decision-makers, collaborated with
Governments and hospital administrations health partners to organize life-saving facilities (clinical
implemented a variety of measures in response to the equipment and essential medications) and to plan for
increase in COVID-19 cases. The expansion and operation hospitals equipped with isolated COVID-19 wards or full-
of COVID-19-specific red zones in hospitals were part care centers dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients.
of a crisis strategy that advocated for the efficient use However, due to limited therapeutic knowledge in the
of resources, including limited personal protective early stages of the pandemic, treatment protocols were
equipment and medical personnel, while also increasing initially unclear. Crucial infrastructure, such as artificial
hospital bed capacity. By collaborating with experienced oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and well-equipped critical
personnel, administrators developed a crisis response care units, was essential for managing the high volume of
system within hospitals aimed at providing basic care patients (Jamil & Munshi, 2023; Pal & Munshi, 2024).
requirements and minimizing operational burden. In order to treat COVID-19 individuals, medications
A coordinated approach enabled the mobilization of and vaccinations are essential. Pharmaceutical services
critical medical supplies within COVID-19 hospitals, played a critical role in managing the massive supply of
while also maintaining routine hospital functions at non- drugs and ensuring compliance with COVID-19 preventive
COVID-19 facilities. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 protocols, treatment guidelines, and diagnostic plans. Key
at non-COVID-19 facilities were immediately transferred components of this effort included the coordination of
to the designated COVID-19 hospital. Despite the large healthcare staff, control of drug supplies, and regulation of
number of healthcare personnel, only those classified as off-label drug use (Ying et al., 2021).
skilled and specialized worked in COVID-19 wards. This
system ensured that healthcare workers in COVID-19 6.2. Healthcare workforce for COVID-19 patient care
wards received thorough training on the use of personal Apart from executive decision-makers, frontline
protective equipment. The enhanced workforce and the workers were the backbone of the COVID-19 response
implementation of stringent social distancing protocols system. It was essential for healthcare sectors to deploy
for frontline staff further supported safe and effective healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.) capable of
care delivery. Governmental support played a key role working efficiently to serve the large number of infected
in ensuring that COVID-19 hospitals were sufficiently populations. A substantial, skilled workforce was crucial
stocked with personal protective equipment, enabling all for treating the infected population. To ensure effective
healthcare workers in direct contact with infected patients service delivery, decision-makers implemented safety
to be fully protected. Nonetheless, healthcare professionals protocols and work schedules aimed at preserving the
experienced increased physical and mental weariness. To mental and physical well-being of healthcare workers. The
address these challenges, assigning approved staff leaders situation was highly demanding, staff faced overwhelming
at critical care facilities helped boost morale and maintain patient loads, often with a limited workforce. Despite
workforce resilience. Similarly, non-clinical staff, including this, hospital management provided rapid and consistent
cleaners and food distribution workers, had a higher risk of support. Excessive safety was necessary for frontline

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 84 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.8492