Health System Capacities and Policy Responses to a Global Health Crisis: A Comparative Study Between Thailand and China
Keywords:
Health System, Governance, COVID-19, Thailand, ChinaAbstract
The governance and sustainability of health systems are essential for human well-being, particularly during public health crises like COVID-19. Despite achieving low fatality rates and high vaccination levels, Thailand and China have adopted both similar and distinct policy responses to the pandemic. This study conducts a qualitative analysis based on documentary research to examine the policy responses of both countries and the underlying rationale. The analysis is framed by the six building blocks of health system strengthening as proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). It also incorporates an examination of health system responses and governance capacities during public health crises to evaluate the policy decisions of both nations. The findings reveal that the policy responses of Thailand and China are influenced by the respective strengths of their health systems and governmental capacities. Both countries adhered to WHO operational guidelines for combating COVID-19; however, China implemented these measures more rigorously. Thailand, characterized by a robust health system but limited governance capacity, adopted a "Coexistence with COVID-19" policy, reopening the country once vaccines became available. Conversely, China's relatively weaker and fragmented health system necessitated a stringent "Zero-COVID" policy, heavily relying on its governance capacity to manage the pandemic. Therefore, governance capacity, alongside health system strength and responsiveness, is critical in determining policy responses during public health crises.
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