Study analyses Bahrain’s crisis management amidst COVID-19 pandemic

TDT | Manama

A joint research team from the Bahrain Institute for Public Administration (BIPA) and Arabian Gulf University (AGU), in coordination with the Supreme Council for Health (SCH), studied the concept of crisis-based innovation amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The study aims to set a theoretical framework for dealing with crises, based on measuring the awareness of people with regards to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and determining its impact on different sectors.

On the occasion, AGU president Dr Khalid Al Ohaly lauded Bahrain’s excellence in managing the ongoing health crisis, owing to it to the wise vision, directives, and care of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

He also noted the instructions issued by His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa based on three basic concepts of leadership: adherence to the spirit of innovation, foreseeing the future and setting options for emerging developments in crisis management.

“These three elements are an empowering essence and spirit that reflect the main features of wise leadership, and it is what the concerned government authorities are implementing in their battle against the coronavirus pandemic,” Dr Al Ohaly said.

“The efforts devoted by the government through the coordination committee, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, are considered a pioneering, brilliant and creative model and on the highest levels of excellence in crisis management; a matter that attracted the attention of international organisations, which praised the efficiency of the Kingdom of Bahrain in managing this crisis.”

BIPA director-general Dr Raed Mohammed Binshams commented: “The remarkable accomplishments and social unity achieved by the Kingdom of Bahrain shall reach the world in a scientific and applied methodology that is based on scientific facts and data. This shall transform this national innovation culture into an international innovation culture to deal with all sorts of crises.”

The study has several objectives, such as measuring the public sector’s ability to respond to crises, developing a flexible administrative system so that it generates institutional knowledge through which a deeper understanding of people’s response to government directives is drawn, and measuring the efficiency of senior management in the public sector in utilising social media platforms and sending informative media messages that change the knowledge, behaviour and attitudes of citizens and residents