A SWOT Analysis of the Experiences of a District Hospital in Ghana During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: District-level hospitals in developing countries have unique resource challenges which have been strained by the COVID-19 pandemic and yet, they have been expected to maintain deliverables. The resource restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the post-pandemic recovery of clinical care in Ghana. Individual institutions now have the uphill task of turning around their fortunes and restoring service quality. Objectives: An assessment, from a strategic management perspective, of how events unfolded at the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital (APH), a secondary centre in Ghana, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic could offer useful pointers for the future of healthcare in low-resource settings. Methods: This study reviewed the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital (APH). Decisions from meetings of the clinical team and the specially constituted ‘COVID-19 task force’ were examined. This information was subjected to a deductive Strength-Weakness-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis to identify and summarize the major themes emerging. Results: As a strength for APH during the peak of the pandemic, the surgical division defied pandemic projections by recording an increased volume of surgical procedures in 2020. As a key weakness, APH was unable to utilize virtual meeting platforms during the pandemic lockdown period. Regarding opportunities, APH became the beneficiary of relief donations from many first-time partners who were poised to continue this relationship beyond the COVID-19 era. As a threat, the drop in the hospital attendance and the consequent dip in revenue uncovered the dangers of APH’s over-reliance on a single revenue stream. Conclusions: A SWOT analysis of the events in APH during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic brings into focus the relevant directions in which a district-level hospital needs to channel its limited resources for sustainable benefits that would survive future health crises.