Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) for the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lesson learned from Public Health Region 10th Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the health of the Thai people. The PHEM was essential for the surveillance, prevention, and control of COVID-19. This study aimed to present the process of the PHEM for COVID-19 from February 29, 2021, to April 30, 2022, and the factors affecting the successful outcome. The study area covered three provinces. The Target group included 37 public health personnel. The data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group interviews based on the non-structure interview guideline and were analyzed by content analysis. The components of COVID-19 prevention and control in the process of PHEM included (1) Emergency Operation Center (EOC) with the incidence command system (ICS) from the district to the provincial level to propose the provincial measure, (2) Provincial Communicable Disease Committee (PCDC) to manage the provincial measure, (3) the measure for surveillance, prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19, and (4) outcomes and best practices for surveillance and control of COVID-19. The success factors of 4S and EC included Space to prepare the quarantine (HQ, LQ), Cohort Ward (CW), field hospitals, community isolation, and home isolation to face the patient and risky group, Staff from various organizations, and groups including the community leader and Health Volunteer (HV), Stuff to manage and share the medical and non-medical equipment, System of Covid-19 response including EOC, ICS, Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and Communicable Disease Control Unit (CDCU) for monitoring the real-time of surveillance and control of COVID-19 output, Environment to conduct management in hospital and the community with Infections Control (IC), and Culture in term of social capital on “the relationship of Isan people” to provide the good care and support for the patients. The structure of PHEM, Isan’s culture, and good preparation were the significant factors in the three provinces.