Emerging Public Health Paradigms in Relation to COVID-19: A Review

Authors : Fidelis OKOLAFOR, Jude IGBORGBOR, Ofeota ODOZİ, Beckley IKHAJİAGBE, Frederick EKHAİSE

Pages : 197-210

Doi:10.19127/bshealthscience.843019

View : 15 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2021-05-01

Article Type : Review Paper

Abstract :This paper provided a clear cut definition of pandemic as a disease that are widespread, spanning through borders of the world, affecting large populations. The new coronavirus is a pandemic that emerged in Wuhan, China as case of unidentified etiology. Global pandemics in the time past saw the emergence of debilitating diseases such as Bubonic Plague, Small Pox, Spanish flu, Hong Kong flu, H7N9, SARS, Zika virus, Ebola virus, H1N1 influenza virus and most recently COVID-19. The incidence, the spread, conspiracy theories and management/eradication of COVID-19 influenced the global politics on COVID-19. The paradigmatic approach to the novel coronavirus underscore the inadequacies, challenges and indifferences of government to health care sector pre- COVID-19 era. Strict adherence to guidelines by WHO and CDC is a major public health intervention to tackle COVID-19. Some of the public health approach to diminish COVID-19 are effective response measures, upscale testing, improved quarantine system and public enlightenment. Effort should made by agencies in the front line of vaccine production to speed up development of safe and effective vaccines and work with Government to ensure fair and equitable allocation of these vaccines to the populace. Plant based therapy for the treatment and management of COVID-19 should be investigated and promoted. If we must win the war against COVID-19, all countries under the United Nations should bridge the gap in knowledge sharing with regards to research into vaccine and drugs to combat the deadly coronavirus.
Keywords : COVID 19, Public health, Wuhan, WHO, Vaccine