The role of community engagement in restoring trust and resilience in the after math of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic severely tested the relationship between government and its people, and revealed significant inequities and health service delivery gaps in national and global systems (1). Community engagement has a critical role to play in recovery. Relationships are central to the collaborative partnerships needed to reorientate health care systems towards primary health care and achieve universal health coverage. Adopting a relational definition and approach to community engagement increases the opportunities and investment pathways to build back stronger, with more resilient families, neighbourhoods, workplaces, schools and government institutions. Doing so recognizes that human beings are born, raised, live, play, work and die in multiple, interconnected communities that continuously shape identity, choices and behaviours.