One of the seven key findings and recommendations of a recent rapid study on the COVID-19 response in Sierra Leone by DFID-funded operational research programme – ‘Maintains’, literally shows poor gender and social inclusion response to COVID-19 by the government. “The gender and social inclusion dimensions of COVID-19 have not been adequately considered in the Government of Sierra Leone’s response,” highlights the study brief. The other six findings and recommendations were that the Government of Sierra Leone needs to consider how economic activities can be modified during COVID-19, rather than replaced.
It also notes that voluntary compliance or community enforcement of health measures and social restrictions are paramount for slowing the spread of the virus. The research brief emphasises that current policies and strategies for controlling the virus, specifically for quarantine and disease surveillance, are overly resource-intensive and are not practical as case counts grow.
Furthermore, the study notes that albeit some of the innovative steps already taken to make education more accessible, the government needs to invest more in education that can be delivered outside the classroom. It also stresses that social protection measures, such as cash transfers, have the potential to cushion the economic burdens of not only the COVID-19 crisis but also future emergency situations.
The study also notes that despite the Ebola outbreak being undoubtedly a relevant experience to draw on, Government is not sufficiently leveraging the experience of other countries in combating COVID-19, adding that public health emergencies have engendered consequences that disproportionally affect vulnerable communities. However, although Sierra Leone was one of the last countries in the world to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has faced a series of institutional and operational challenges that have slowed down response efforts.
Maintains is a five-year (2018–2023) funded operational research programme to build strong evidence based on how health, education, nutrition, and social protection systems can respond more quickly, reliably, and effectively to changing needs during and after shocks, while also maintaining existing services. Maintains works in six focal countries—Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, and Uganda—undertaking research to build evidence and providing technical assistance to support practical implementation.
By Ophaniel Gooding