1 - 7 of 7
Number of results to display per page
Search Results
2. Serbia in the Jaws of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Author:
- Srdan Hercigonja
- Publication Date:
- 12-2020
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Belgrade Centre for Security Policy
- Abstract:
- The public opinion poll conducted by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) in October 2020 shows that the society is divided, both when it comes to measures taken in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and regarding the reaction of the competent institutions to the health crisis. Although no less than a third of the Serbian citizens do not believe in or have serious doubts about the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of them are of the opinion that the health crisis will have serious economic consequences, while a third are convinced that it has affected the level of democracy in Serbia. Most people see the pandemic as a threat to human and national security, but they are divided over how this crisis has affected their everyday lives. Polarisation was identified in relation to the level of trust in state institutions. Citizens trust the health care system the most, which is not surprising since the health care system commonly occupies a very high position in general surveys conducted to measure trust in all institutions. The reason for the high level of trust in the health system is the fact that it is the entire health system – not just the specialised COVID departments – that is bearing the brunt of the pandemic. As for other institutions, the percentage of trust in the President of the Republic and the Crisis Task Force for the Protection of the Population from the Infectious Disease COVID-19 stands at almost fifty-fifty, which again reflects the broader picture of citizens’ (dis)trust in these permanent and temporary institutions. One of the reasons for the division in the perception of disease as a threat to the personal safety of citizens is poor informing and reporting on the course and consequences of the pandemic (frequent contradictory messages provided by the Crisis Task Force and the authorities), which has been identified in the survey as one of the biggest problems of pandemic management. An enormous number of citizens perceive China as the largest financial and humanitarian donor during the period of the pandemic, which also influences – in the general survey – positive opinions about foreign countries, where China ranks first. Despite the fact that it was in fact the European Union that helped Serbia the most in the fight against the Coronavirus, in both financial and humanitarian terms, in the eyes of the citizens China still convincingly holds the first place.
- Topic:
- Security, Public Opinion, Health Care Policy, Public Health, Pandemic, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Serbia
3. Turkey has not become like Italy. Was it science or luck?
- Author:
- Tülin Daloğlu
- Publication Date:
- 05-2020
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies
- Abstract:
- In this issue of Turkeyscope, senior Turkish journalist Tülin Daloğlu provided an insider's perspective on Turkey's struggle with the Coronavirus. The article analyzes the measures that have been implemented since the eruption of the first COVID-19 case in Turkey and their effects on the Turkish public.
- Topic:
- Governance, Health Care Policy, Crisis Management, Coronavirus, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Turkey, Middle East, and Mediterranean
4. Challenges and Responses to COVID-19: Experience from Asia
- Author:
- Nancy Davis Lewis and Jonathan D. Mayer
- Publication Date:
- 07-2020
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- East-West Center
- Abstract:
- Experience in Asia suggests that public health and medical capacity are critical for an effective response to an emerging infectious disease. Political will and previous experience with disease outbreaks also play a role. Singapore ignored an important segment of its population and is now experiencing a huge spike in cases. China and Vietnam were able to enforce draconian measures, while in Japan and Hong Kong, civil society had a greater role in initiating effective controls. In several countries, local political outcomes have been affected by the perceived success or failure of leaders in controlling the crisis.
- Topic:
- Health Care Policy, Leadership, Crisis Management, Public Health, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Japan, China, Asia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Hong Kong
5. Rural-Urban Disparities in the Utilization of Mental Health Inpatient Services in China: The Role of Health Insurance
- Author:
- Junfang Xu, Jian Wang, Madeleine King, Ruiyun Liu, Fenghua Yu, Jinshui Xing, Lei Su, and Mingshan Lu
- Publication Date:
- 01-2018
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
- Abstract:
- Reducing rural-urban disparities in health and health care has been a key policy goal for the Chinese government. With mental health becoming an increasingly significant public health issue in China, empirical evidence of disparities in the use of mental health services can guide steps to reduce them. We conducted this study to inform China’s on-going health-care reform through examining how health insurance might reduce rural-urban disparities in the utilization of mental health inpatient services in China.
- Topic:
- Health, Health Care Policy, Mental Health, Urban, and Rural
- Political Geography:
- China and Asia
6. Policy Response to Low Fertility in China: Too Little, Too Late?
- Author:
- Wang Feng
- Publication Date:
- 04-2017
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- East-West Center
- Abstract:
- In 1970, Chinese women were having an average of nearly six children each. Only nine years later, this gure had dropped to an average of 2.7 children per woman. This steep fertility decline was achieved before the Chinese government introduced the infamous one-child policy. Today, at 1.5 children per woman, the fertility rate in China is one of the lowest in the world. Such a low fertility level leads to extreme population aging— expansion of the proportion of the elderly in a population, with relatively few children to grow up and care for their aging parents and few workers to pay for social services or drive economic growth. China’s birth-control policies are now largely relaxed, but new programs are needed to provide healthcare and support for the growing elderly population and to encourage young people to have children. It will be increasingly di cult to fund such programs, however, as China’s unprecedented pace of economic growth inevitably slows down.
- Topic:
- Population, Health Care Policy, and Political and institutional effectiveness
- Political Geography:
- China
7. In Tanzania, can more service provider accountability improve service delivery?
- Author:
- Fenohasina Rakotondrazaka Maret
- Publication Date:
- 08-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Urban Institute
- Abstract:
- The quality of public-service delivery in developing countries depends on accountability for public-sector employees, but what does it take to make accountability the norm rather than the exception? According to the 2004 World Development Report, the long route of improving service delivery involves accountability through political mechanisms like the electoral system and politicians’ oversight. But the short route—accountability through the direct relationships between service providers, clients, and the local community—can often be just as effective. Social service delivery is still weak in many developing countries, particularly those in Africa, but increasing accountability could make a difference.
- Topic:
- Education, Health Care Policy, Accountability, Economic Development, and Public Service
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Tanzania