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Supporting the COVID-19 Response

LHSS supports USAID’s global fight against COVID-19 – while building countries’ long-term resilience.

ARTICLE

Universal Nurse Pilot Reorganizes Workforce for COVID-19—And Beyond

The Universal Nurse Model merges functions of three types of physician-directed nurses into one patient-centered nursing role, allowing better health outcomes with the same number of doctors and nurses.

We assist governments with immediate prevention, detection, and case management while laying the groundwork for recovery and improved resilience to future shocks.

Surge Support, Procurement, and Capacity Development

Calculation, procurement, and delivery of priority specimen transport and testing commodities
Facility level assessments
Rapid response teams at subnational levels for surveillance and testing
Piloting the “universal nurse” model in response to COVID-19

Critical Care and Ventilator-Related Technical Assistance

Facility readiness assessments for USG-donated ventilators
Identifying and addressing logistic barriers to ensure consistent power, oxygen supply, and consumables
Adapting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and job aids for routine maintenance and cleaning of mechanical ventilators
Strengthening clinical human resources for health in intensive, intermediate, and high complexity COVID-19 case management
Developing and rolling out SOPs for critical care, training curricula, and facilitated real-time learning experiences
Weekly, online, case-based discussion of challenging cases among facilities receiving ventilators organized
Factor analysis of case outcomes, web-based TA, software enabling remote follow-up to clinical care patients in rural area

Building Laboratory Capacity in Diagnostic Testing

Support for a national laboratory response strategy
Infection prevention and control (including biosafety)
Case detection by PCR, Elisa test and genomic sequencing
Capacity building for laboratory specialists (PCR, Elisa, B&B, IPC, QMS)
Rapid detection, reporting/surveillance, and response
Support introduction of a standardized supply chain management for COVID-19 testing materials
Procurement of laboratory equipment and consumables
Ensuring resilience: updating graduate and postgraduate education curricula for laboratory workers

Vaccination and Communication Campaigns

Supporting government to deploy and administer WHO-approved vaccines under COVAX Facility
Rapid assessments of ongoing regulatory and operational supply chain
Support to governments to apply for additional funding from the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism
Addressing rumors and combatting misinformation around COVID-19

ARTICLE

Multifaceted Support for COVID-19 Vaccination

LHSS supports scale up and adaptation of existing vaccination programs for COVID-19 while also strengthening countries’ capacity to manage other public health efforts in the future.
ARTICLE

Can We Achieve Lasting Health System Resilience? Only If We Are Willing to Institutionalize the Harsh Lessons of COVID-19

The events of the past 18 months underscore the importance of generally strong, equitable, and accessible health systems. COVID-19 is not the only threat we face, and as we prepare for the future it is critical that we begin to sufficiently invest in the foundational health system strengthening required to develop lasting resilience.
ARTICLE

Answering the Call in Laos: Helping Field 5,000 COVID-19 Questions a Day

At the request of the Laos Ministry of Health, LHSS helped mobilize volunteer medical students to support a national hotline for COVID-19. At the peak of the Pai Mai holiday, the hotline fielded 5,000 calls a day.
ARTICLE

Helping Get Vital COVID-19 Information to Colombia’s Underserved Populations

The pandemic has presented an urgent challenge to Colombia’s already overburdened, understaffed health system. Rapid response teams are traversing roads, mountain paths, and rivers to help health officials contain the spread of COVID-19.
ARTICLE

COVID-19 Call Center Nurses Help Families in Jordan Stay Healthy at Home

LHSS collaborated with the ministry to develop tools for nurses to use during telecounseling calls, including a checklist, call scripts, and responses to frequently asked questions.
WEBINAR

Averting a Dual Disaster in Africa: Protecting Essential Health Services During COVID-19

In Africa, like the rest of the world, the impact of COVID-19 is significant. But the attention on COVID-19 may be masking a greater catastrophe: reduced access to—and quality of—essential health services.
WEBINAR

Mobilizing Civil Society for COVID-19 Prevention and Vaccination

Panelists share experiences from countries harnessing trusted community networks to reach key audiences – and discuss how approaches could be used to support vaccine uptake and long-term health system strengthening.
WEBINAR

Improving the Quality of Critical Care for COVID-19, Now and into the Future

Panelists discuss the rapid evolution in knowledge of how to best care for critically ill COVID patients, how countries are quickly adapting to ensure improved care for patients, and lessons learned.