Abstract
<jats:p>Background: The covid-19 pandemic demonstrated serious vulnerabilities in the global and national health systems, which is why the health policy changes should be done efficiently and aimed at presenting the health system in the context of future public health crises. The comprehension of the effects of reforming the health policy after the covid-19 pandemic on pandemic preparedness is essential in enhancing health systems' resilience. Objective: The current research paper will explore the effects of health policy changes involved in preparing the nation to deal with any future pandemics following the outbreak of covid-19, paying particularly close attention to such matters as the funding of the public health, the strength of governance systems, the modernization of surveillance systems, implementation capabilities, and the level of trust and compliance of the population. Methods: A cross-sectional study that used a quantitative design was conducted. A structured questionnaire was used to gather primary data, which involved a five-point likert scale. The statistical analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics, reliability, validity tests, normality tests, independent samples t-test, one-way anova, kruskal-wallis test, chi-square test of independence, pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis procedures to test and analyse 210 valid responses. Results: The findings revealed that the findings were normally distributed, trustworthy and valid. Group difference analysis showed that there were significant differences between demographic groups. The correlation analysis of profiles of the variables of health policy reform with pandemic preparedness was positive and significant, as indicated by the pearson correlation analysis. Regression analysis also established that predictions of pandemic preparedness correspond to health policy reforms, with implementation capacity playing the most important role, compared to the governance strength and public health funding. Conclusion: The paper concludes that health policies have a crucial role in increasing pandemic preparedness following covid-19. Nevertheless, such reforms require a high implementation capacity and good governance as well as trust in the government. The policy-makers ought to take a holistic approach that incorporates policy-making, intervention and interaction with the community in enhancing future preparedness to pandemics</jats:p>