Public-Private ICT-Based Collaboration Initiative During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program in Pakistan

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Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study is to explore the application of the Pakistani government’s ICT-based public-private collaboration strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. This investigation covers the Ehsaas Emergency Cash (EEC) program, from the beginning of the application to receiving of funds, which was developed by a collaborative mechanism involving the Pakistani government, National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), local commercial banks and the telecom sector. By investigating the EEC via the case study method, this paper provides insights to policymakers on how to replicate similar strategies in various country contexts via leveraging public-private collaboration, ICT technologies, and policymaking. This study contributes the COVID-19, ICT, e-government, and public-private collaboration literature via providing insight about current events and a model based on the case presented.

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The positive impact of lockdown in Wuhan on containing the COVID-19 outbreak in China

Hien Lau, Veria Khosrawipour, Piotr Paweł Kocbach … (2020)

Abstract Background With its epicenter in Wuhan, China, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Consequently, many countries have implemented flight restrictions to China. China itself has imposed a lockdown of the population of Wuhan as well as the entire Hubei province. However, whether these two enormous measures have led to significant changes in the spread of COVID-19 cases remains unclear. Methods We analyzed available data on the development of confirmed domestic and international COVID-19 cases before and after lockdown measures. We evaluated the correlation of domestic air traffic to the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and determined the growth curves of COVID-19 cases within China before and after lockdown as well as after changes in COVID-19 diagnostic criteria. Results Our findings indicate a significant increase in doubling time from 2 days (95% Confidence Interval, CI): 1.9–2.6), to 4 days (95% CI: 3.5–4.3), after imposing lockdown. A further increase is detected after changing diagnostic and testing methodology to 19.3 (95% CI: 15.1–26.3), respectively. Moreover, the correlation between domestic air traffic and COVID-19 spread became weaker following lockdown (before lockdown: r = 0.98, p < 0.05 vs. after lockdown: r = 0.91, p = NS). Conclusions A significantly decreased growth rate and increased doubling time of cases was observed, which is most likely due to Chinese lockdown measures. A more stringent confinement of people in high risk areas seem to have a potential to slow down the spread of COVID-19.