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Efficiency of Healthcare Systems in the First Wave of COVID-19 – A Technical Efficiency Analysis

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  • Marthinus C. Breitenbach
  • Victor Ngobeni
  • Goodness C. Aye

Abstract

In this novel paper, we make use of a non-parametric method known as Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to analyse the 31 most infected countries during the first 100 days since the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus for the efficiency in containing the spread of the virus – a question yet to be answered in the literature. Our model showed 12 of the 31 countries in our sample were efficient and 19 inefficient in the use of resources to manage the flattening of their COVID-19 contagion curves. Among the worst performers were some of the richest countries in the world, Germany, Canada, the USA and Austria, with efficiency between 50 and 60 per cent – more inefficient than Italy, France and Belgium, who were some of those hardest hit by the spread of the virus.

Suggested Citation

  • Marthinus C. Breitenbach & Victor Ngobeni & Goodness C. Aye, 2021. "Efficiency of Healthcare Systems in the First Wave of COVID-19 – A Technical Efficiency Analysis," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 6, pages 3-21.
    • Handle: RePEc:bas:econst:y:2021:i:6:p:3-21
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Breitenbach, Marthinus C & Ngobeni, Victor & Aye, Goodness C, 2020. "Global Healthcare Resource Efficiency in the Management of COVID-19 Death and Infection Prevalence Rates," MPRA Paper 104814, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Delis, Manthos D. & Iosifidi, Maria & Tasiou, Menelaos, 2021. "Efficiency of government policy during the COVID-19 pandemic," MPRA Paper 107046, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C6 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling
    • D2 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health

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