Ukrainian refugee crisis management in the Local Health Authority Roma 1: the challenges of implementing public health policies and lessons learned

BMC Public Health

Research

Paolo Lombardo¹  Valerio Mogini²  Giancarlo Santone³  Maryana Kohut³  Mauro Goletti³  Adriano Grossi³  Paolo Parente³  Maria Grazia Martelli³  Andrea Barbara⁴  Lavinia Camilla Barone⁴  Leonardo Villani⁵  Maria Teresa Riccardi⁵  Rosaria Messina⁶  Andriy Melnyk⁶ 

[1] Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy;Division of Public Health, Italian Red Cross International, Roma, Italy;Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, 00193, Rome, Italy;Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, 00193, Rome, Italy;Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy;Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, 00193, Rome, Italy;Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy;Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy;

关键词: Refugee;    Emergency;    Resources;    Implementation;    Resilience;    Local Health Authority;    Leadership;    Team building;    Multiculturalism;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-023-15556-4

 received in 2022-10-21, accepted in 2023-03-29,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe conflict between Russia and Ukraine has strained the health systems of countries that welcome war refugees on all levels, from national to local. Despite the Public Health guidelines regarding assistance being published on the topic, the scientific literature currently lacks evidence on the experience of applying theory in practice. This study aims to describe evidence-based practices that were implemented and to provide a detailed description of emerging problems and solutions pertaining Ukrainian refugee assistance in the context of one of the biggest Local Health Authorities in Italy (LHA Roma 1).MethodsLHA Roma 1 developed a strategic plan based on local expertise, national and international guidelines to ensure infectious disease prevention and control, as well as continuity of care for non-communicable diseases and mental health.ResultsThe insertion of Ukrainian refugees in the National Health System through an identification code assignment and other services such as COVID-19 swab and vaccination were provided either in one of the three major assistance hubs or in local district level ambulatories spread throughout the LHA. Many challenges were faced during the implementation phase of the outlined practice guidelines, which required sensible and timely solutions. These challenges include the necessity of rapid resource provision, overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers, guaranteeing a standard of care across multiple sites and coordination of interventions. Public Private Partnerships, the creation of a centralized multicultural and multidisciplinary team and the mutually beneficial collaboration with the local Ukrainian community were essential to guarantee the success of all operations.ConclusionsThe experience of LHA Roma 1 helps shed light on the importance of leadership in emergency settings and how a dynamic relationship between policy and practice would allow each intervention to be modulated according to the local environment, to better realize the potential of local realities to provide appropriate health interventions to all those in need.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023