PUBLIC POLICY PERSPECTIVE IN CHINA ON MANAGING THE PANDEMIC EFFECTIVELY

10.2478/bjlp-2022-001076

Abstract

Since the first COVID-19 case was identified in Wuhan, China on December 8, the
disease has spread to more than 200 countries, causing a global health emergency. From a crisis
management (CM) viewpoint, the existing research does not investigate what led to this rapid
epidemic. In order to comprehend the crisis's underlying causes as it link to China's existing
management structure and health-care policies, this study analyses big data, material that has
been publicly disclosed, and other digital media sources. This fills the research gap. The relevant
findings are drawn by the article: Firstly, the large majority of individuals were unprepared and
uninformed of COVID-19 as a direct result of the early media statements' early stifling and the
severe state intervention over information that resulted. Second, choosing to deal with a virus
whose size and origin are unknown over calming known public concern at a socially and culturally
responsive time often results in lying and concealing. Thirdly, public health control agencies'
limited autonomy makes it difficult for them to respond quickly to emergencies. Last but not
least, the commercialization of numerous state-owned clinics resulted in the lack of public health
hospital facilities to treat sufferers in the provinces of Wuhan and Hubei. According to this report,
China must establish a Singaporean-approach public health crisis administration, employing it to
track public health emergencies in instantaneously, and guarantee disclosure of information and
uniformity. Additionally, the Chinese central government has to improve spending on public
health and apply the territorial management concept of such a public health crisis.