Improving the Facilities Management of COVID-19 in Pakistani Public Hospitals

Abstract

This paper aims to review the delivery of facilities management (FM) services in public hospitals and demonstrate how they can be enhanced to fight against COVID-19 in Pakistan. The present study conducts a literature review and credible media reports on COVID-19 and facilities management. Gathered information regarding the pandemic is critically synthesized to offer a practical view of how facilities management can be upgraded in the fight against COVID-19. The healthcare system in a majority of developing countries has been facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although governments have been taking significant measures to overcome those challenges, their existing facilities management plan remains incoherent and non-strategic. Hence, facilities management interventions are necessary to establish a much-needed antivirus-built environment. The present study is case guarded according to the available data and information during the study period. However, the study’s recommendations remain valuable in case the pandemic moves to negative future trajectories. The proposed interventions can facilitate healthcare facilities managers in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study is novel in that it focuses on facilities management improvement to combat COVID-19 in Pakistan. It proposes valuable recommendations regarding facilities management practices in public hospitals in developing countries at the back of the current pandemic. Future empirical studies are in the works to attain further objective assessments regarding facilities management during the pandemic.