ANALYSIS OF STATE CAPACITIES IN FIGHTING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN BRAZIL

ABSTRACT

The literature on crisis management highlights the importance of organizational learning for the formation of skills needed to effectively face new crises. In Brazil, the chaotic context of facing the pandemic and the lack of coordination of governmental actions give rise to reflections on the elements that could minimize the number of deaths. In view of this, this study aims to understand the extent to which technical-administrative capabilities and territorial aspects influenced the outcome of coping with Covid-19. Structural Equation Modeling and average tests were used in the data analysis. About capacities, the results revealed that deaths from Covid-19 were positively associated with the number of Intensive Care Unities and financial resources and negatively related to the number of primary care establishments and quality of health services provided. The heterogeneity of state capacities was also evident, which reveals the fragility of regional health planning. These results are important for planning actions and building capacities to face new health crises. As a contribution to the literature, the study sheds light on the importance of state capacity, operational structure, and capillarity of primary health care as conditioning factors for success in managing health crises.

Keywords:
Covid-19; Public Policy; Learning Organization; Public Health