CHORUS Paper: The Role of the Private Sector in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences From Four Health Systems
We assess the way in which the private sector has acted in response to COVID-19 and seek to understand the Government’s reaction to this response. We present findings of a policy and media review of the private sector response to the pandemic and government’s interaction with this response in urban settings in four LMICs: Ghana, Nigeria, Nepal and Bangladesh. The private sector response was identified as a major theme a larger study undertaken in each country on the COVID-19 response in urban areas.
We focus on two related questions.
1. Who are the private sector actors (profit and not for profit) who have engaged in the COVID-19 first wave response and what was their role?
2. How have national and sub-national governments engaged in, and with the private sector response and what have been the effects of these engagements?
Paper: “Domains of deprivation framework” for mapping slums, informal settlements, and other deprived areas in LMICs to improve urban planning and policy: A scoping review
This IDEAMAPS paper reviewed conceptualizations of urban deprivation in LMIC cities, integrated key concepts from social and physical sciences, and developed a novel Domains of Deprivation Framework that can support multi-disciplinary global deprived area mapping efforts. The domains aim to be inclusive of issues that define deprivation from the household-to-city-level, and this is reflected in the classification of domains within a simple spatial hierarchy (i.e., household- area- area connect level). Therefore, the IDEAMAPS Domains of Deprivation Framework departs from existing frameworks that are not holistic enough to reflect household and area-level domains of deprivation in LMIC cities.
CHORUS Paper: Stakeholders’ perspectives and willingness to institutionalize linkages between the formal health system and informal healthcare providers in urban slums in southeast, Nigeria
The widely available informal healthcare providers (IHPs) present opportunities to improve access to appropriate essential health services in underserved urban areas in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, they are not formally linked to the formal health system. This study was conducted to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders about institutionalizing linkages between the formal health systems and IHPs, as a strategy for improving access to appropriate healthcare services in Nigeria.
Paper: Examining the roles of stakeholders and evidence in policymaking for inclusive urban development in Nigeria – findings from a policy analysis
This study examined the extent to which stakeholders are involved and evidence considered in urban development policies and strategies in Nigeria. With a high urban population growth rate in Nigerian cities, sustainable urban development is critical and should be hinged on viable policies that are evidence-based and consider stakeholders’ inputs and interests.
Paper: Analysis of equity and social inclusiveness of national urban development policies and strategies through the lenses of health and nutrition
Rapid urbanization increases competition for scarce urban resources and underlines the need for policies that promote equitable access to resources. This study examined equity and social inclusion of urban development policies in Nigeria through the lenses of access to health and food/nutrition resources.
CHORUS Report: Analysis and Lessons from City and Local Government Responses to Covid-19 in Ghana
This study looks at how and why city/local governments in Accra responded to the first wave of Covid-19, and coordinated their responses with national government responses. It also examines the differential impact of responses on sub-groups of the urban population and lessons for local government health security preparedness and response.
CHORUS Policy Brief: Covid and Cities Policy Brief – Nepal (HERD International)
As part of the CHORUS programme, HERD International conducted a review of the mass media coverage and government policies and directives on COVID-19, published between 1 January 2020 to 31 August 2020. This policy brief outlines the findings of the study and key recommendations.
News article: Strengthening Primary Health to achieve Universal Health Coverage in Bangladesh
Rumana Huque at ARK Foundation writes for the Financial Express on the need to strengthen Primary Health Care in Bangladesh to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
Paper: Stakeholders’ Perspectives on the Unmet Needs and Health Priorities of the Urban Poor in South-East Nigeria
Relatively little is known about readiness of urban health systems to address health needs of the poor. This study explored stakeholders’ perception of health needs and strategies for improving health of the urban poor using qualitative analysis.
CHORUS Report: Covid-19 & Cities – Bangladesh
This report presents an overview of the COVID-19 response in Bangladesh, from February to August 2020. It focuses on the response related to urban health in the country and tries to portray the interaction of different stakeholders and the deciding authorities in Covid-19 management in urban areas.