Stakeholders’ Communication of COVID-19 Pandemic in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Aims: The objective of this study was to explore the coordination and communication governance processes utilized by the Yogyakarta provincial government in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants Methods: Qualitative research with a phenomenological approach was performed with a total of 7 informants from various stakeholders, including government institutions, professional organizations, and task forces collaborating with the Yogyakarta Provincial Health Office to address the challenges posed by COVID-19 in the region. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and observations. The data were analyzed by Colaizzi’s method. Findings: Two primary themes were produced, including, 1) training and development of human resources for the management of the crisis, with two sub-themes emerging, including, a) the healthcare stage in handling and b) recruitment in human resources fulfillment, and 2) the communication governance of the Yogyakarta Special Region’s government, with four key themes, including, a) effective information through easily accessible applications, b) comprehensive information from reliable sources, c) diverse media for socialization meetings during coordination, and d) dissemination of recommendations. Conclusion: An effective response to the pandemic hinged on a cooperative strategy that brought together diverse stakeholders, such as government entities, healthcare organizations, and community leaders.