Global health partnerships in the time of COVID-19: redefining the way we work

Abstract

Background The emergence of COVID-19 disrupted several global health partnerships, with people unable to travel, meetings and conferences cancelled, and many forced to work remotely. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on global health partnerships learning from the activities of the Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine (DTHM) at the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG). Methods Five members of the DTHM team as well as five local partners from ongoing projects within the DTHM in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Peru and Ukraine were interviewed. A qualitative approach was chosen employing an interpretive approach using Grounded Theory involving the application of inductive reasoning for the analysis. Results Interviewees describe both positive and negative impacts of COVID-19 for the existing partnerships. The use of on-site visits was disrupted and replaced by extra remote monitoring. Digital tools enabled the continuity of interactions ensuring that the partnership could continue to operate. Online tools allowed access to a wider audience and advantages with regards to time, cost and the environment. However, going online was unable to fully replace human interactions and exchanges which are core components of any partnership. Conclusions COVID-19 resulted in the DTHM and its partners needing to redefine and improve how partnerships were established and maintained. This change in how partnerships operated and adapted during the pandemic will require ongoing assessment to see the long-term impact of these changes in the ways partnerships function in a post-COVID-19 environment.