Economic evaluation of Korea's COVID-19 response projects in Uzbekistan

Objectives This study aims to assess the economic feasibility and broader policy implications of the Korea International Cooperation Agency's (KOICA) official development assistance (ODA) projects for the COVID-19 emergency response in Uzbekistan through a cost-benefit analysis. The primary research question is to evaluate whether the interventions provide sufficient economic returns relative to their costs while informing future pandemic preparedness of response strategies. Design A cost-benefit analysis using quantitative methods was performed to assess the financial impact of the COVID-19 ODA projects. Setting The study was conducted in Uzbekistan, focusing on KOICA's COVID-19 emergency response projects from January 2020 to December 2021. Interventions The intervention involved the implementation of KOICA's COVID-19 emergency response activities, including early diagnosis support, establishment of rapid response bases, provision of medical equipment and emergency relief efforts in Uzbekistan. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome measure is the net present value (NPV) and benefit/cost ratio of the project. Secondary outcome measures are the project's effectiveness in terms of death prevention, reduction in medical costs and timely COVID-19 testing. Results The analysis revealed a total programme cost of US$11 353 173, with a net benefit ranging from US$21 026 032 to US$34 573 403, and a benefit/cost ratio between 1.85 and 3.05. A detailed examination of costs and benefits highlighted the programme's positive NPV and benefit/cost ratio, indicating its economic feasibility. The study also underscored the programme's effectiveness in preventing deaths, reducing medical costs and providing timely COVID-19 testing. Conclusions The findings confirm that KOICA's COVID-19 emergency response projects in Uzbekistan were economically viable and effective. The study highlights the importance of integrating economic evaluations into ODA assessments, particularly for emergency response and infectious disease control. It recommends expanding the use of quantitative analysis to optimise resource allocation and improve decision-making in future global health crises.