The Development of Government Agency Preparedness Potential: A case study of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic in Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to 1) study about the government agency preparation in a case study of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and 2) suggest guidelines for development of government agency preparedness potential in a case study of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. This research used qualitative research and data were collected from groups of key informants which were within 8 administrative organizations as follows 1) personnel of local administrative organizations consisting of the chief administrator of the Local Government Organization, Permanent Secretary of Local Administrative Organization, Operational Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Officer, and Health and Environment staffs, 2) personnel within 8 health organizations in Health Promoting Hospital consisting of: Director of Health Promoting Hospital, professional nurses and health workers and 3) community representatives including community leaders, village health volunteers, and civil defense volunteers within 8 communities. Data were analyzed by content analysis. The findings indicated that 1. the preparation of government agencies in a case study of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic consisted of 1) policies and action plans in collaboration with relevant agencies, 2) alerting news and setting surveillance measures before the outbreak, 3) communication by using personal media and online communication, 4) database preparation system and utilization of information, and 5) crisis management by creating operational plans, coordinating and preparing equipment. 2. the development of government agency preparedness potential in a case study of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic consisted of strict policy management, planning development for efficiency management evaluation, development of surveillance, notification system, development of communication system, database system development, education promotion, and promotion of the establishment of local coordination centers.