Systematic Literature Review on Building Resilient Health Systems for Emergencies: Lessons from Covid-19 and Emerging Diseases in Turkana and West Pokot Counties, Kenya
Abstract
Background: Public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic and re-emerging infectious diseases, have placed considerable strain on health systems worldwide. These challenges are compounded in resource-constrained and geographically remote areas such as Turkana and West Pokot Counties in Kenya, where poor infrastructure, limited workforce capacity, and fragmented service delivery systems present additional obstacles. Communication has been identified as a key determinant of effective emergency preparedness and response; however, knowledge gaps persist regarding its role at the facility level in such settings.
Objective: This study sought to conduct a systematic review of the literature on communication strategies and their impact on emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities, with the aim of generating evidence applicable to resource-constrained settings.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, supplemented by publications from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Kenya Ministry of Health. Inclusion criteria required studies to be peer-reviewed, focused on healthcare systems or facilities, and directly concerned with communication strategies in emergency preparedness or response. Non-empirical studies and those outside the health sector were excluded. Study selection followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework.
Findings: Of 1,070 records identified, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the synthesis. The evidence demonstrates that effective communication is a fundamental determinant of emergency preparedness, enhancing coordination, decision-making, and response efficiency. Key themes include the importance of structured internal communication systems, inter-agency collaboration, risk communication to promote community compliance, and communication training for healthcare workers. Persistent challenges in resource-constrained settings include inadequate infrastructure, unreliable communication networks, and insufficient workforce capacity.
Conclusion: Communication is a critical enabler of health system resilience and emergency preparedness. Strengthening emergency response in underserved areas such as Turkana and West Pokot Counties requires targeted investments in structured communication systems, workforce training, and digital infrastructure. Further context-specific research is needed to inform policy and practice in these settings.
Keywords: Emergency preparedness, Health system resilience, Communication strategies, COVID-19, Kenya, Turkana, West Pokot, Resource-constrained settings, PRISMA
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