Timeliness and fairness: The practical model of healthcare emergency logistics during the pandemic - A case of Taiwan

This research explores the supply and delivery of medical masks in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to develop a practical model for the emergency logistics of epidemic prevention supplies. This model ensures both timeliness and fairness, meaning during the outbreak of the epidemic that all individuals received masks in a timely manner. Data for this study come from semi-structured interviews, supplemented by government publications and news reports. Based on the framework proposed herein, a practical model is developed through content analysis including coding and categorizing. The research results indicate that the key elements of the practical model include a legally-empowered Central Epidemic Command Center, logistical support from the state-owned postal company, sales through dense retail networks, the set-up of a real-name mask system, and multi-stakeholder collaboration across the public and private sectors. This paper offers a detailed account of the emergency supply and distribution processes for medical supplies during the epidemic. The findings give valuable insights for governments and help bridge the gap in the emergency logistics literature.