Lessons in Building Resilient Global Healthcare Systems: Insights from K Craig Kent

The COVID-19 pandemic, along with previous crises such as the 2014 Ebola outbreak, has emphasized the urgent need for stronger and more adaptable health systems. The crises that health systems face extend far beyond worldwide pandemics. In 2024, a cyberattack on Change Healthcare impacted the finances and operations of health systems across the country. A hurricane that led to a manufacturing disruption at Baxter International’s North Cove, North Carolina, facility led to a shortage of IV fluids, resulting in the cancellation of thousands of surgeries across the country.  These and other past crises and many more to come reveal how quickly our healthcare infrastructure can be overwhelmed and how vital it is to prepare in advance for these unpredictable events. As explained by K Craig Kent, health systems that prospectively invest in crisis management processes and teams, as well as infrastructure and policy framework, fare better in navigating these events, while at the same time continuing essential, high-quality patient care.

A resilient healthcare system is not just focused on emergency response; it’s about maintaining sustainable capacity, equitable access, while concurrently having the ability to learn and adapt. As the world of healthcare becomes more interconnected, shared vulnerabilities demand shared solutions. Building resilience means looking beyond our borders, investing wisely, and embracing innovation at every level of care.

What Resilience Means for Healthcare Systems

Resilience in healthcare refers to a system’s ability to adapt nimbly to change, to continue operating while under pressure, and recover efficiently from disruptions. This includes everything from pandemics to natural disasters to supply chain shortages and economic instability. It also reflects a system’s capacity to maintain the core function of providing superb and high-quality healthcare even when under duress.

Countries around the world are recognizing that resilience is essential to avoid almost certain future challenges. After the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments began evaluating how well their systems withstood the crisis and where gaps existed. Some nations, like South Korea and Germany, provided more stable healthcare delivery during the pandemic due to early planning and adaptive infrastructure. Their ability to swiftly mobilize resources and coordinate a national response played a major role in minimizing disruption and producing successful outcomes.

Core Elements That Support Health System Strength

Dr. Craig Kent notes that strong healthcare systems rely heavily on foundational primary care, which often serves as the first line of defense in any health crisis. When primary care is accessible and care teams are well-equipped, it helps reduce the burden on hospitals and emergency services, allowing the entire system to function more efficiently.

Workforce stability is another critical factor. Systems with well-trained and adequately supported medical staff fare better in times of stress. During the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, countries with more robust healthcare staffing were able to contain the spread more effectively and ensure continued care for other conditions. Investment in training, mental health support for staff, and fair compensation directly influence workforce resilience.

Reliable supply chains for medicines and equipment can determine how quickly a system can respond. Delays during the early stages of COVID-19 revealed how fragile global supply lines could be, prompting many nations to rethink their sourcing strategies and local manufacturing capacities. Strengthening domestic production and maintaining emergency stockpiles of essential resources have become key priorities. These principles were again tested during the Baxter saline shortage. 

Digital Tools and Data in Health System Resilience

Technology plays a vital role in enhancing health system responsiveness. Telehealth platforms expanded rapidly during the pandemic, allowing patients to continue receiving care in the absence of in-person interactions. In rural areas and even some urban communities, these digital bridges became lifelines. Mobile health apps and remote monitoring tools have further expanded access to care.

Data systems that enable real-time tracking of disease outbreaks and resource availability also contribute to resilience. Countries like Taiwan leveraged integrated data tools to monitor cases, manage hospital capacity, and guide public health decisions swiftly. These allowed authorities to identify hotspots early and allocate resources where they were most required.

Learning from Global Health Crises

Health emergencies have a way of exposing the underlying strengths and weaknesses of health systems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, countries that acted swiftly with clear communication and community engagement managed to reduce transmission and maintain public trust. Others struggled with misinformation and inconsistent policies, which undermined response efforts and led to delayed containment and increased mortality and morbidity.

The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa taught hard lessons about the importance of local preparation and global support. Nations that built upon those lessons were better positioned during subsequent crises. These experiences have become reference points for shaping more agile and responsive systems going forward.

Global Collaborations

Craig Kent explains that no health system operates in isolation. Cross-border cooperation, knowledge sharing, and coordinated response strategies have become increasingly vital in tackling global threats. When nations pool expertise and resources, they enhance collective defense against emerging health risks. This is especially important for addressing pandemics that do not respect national boundaries. Moreover, COVID taught us here in the U.S. that working together, sharing resources and expertise with neighboring and even distant health systems, led to better outcomes for all.   

Efforts such as joint vaccine development, regional disease surveillance networks, and sharing technical support and vital supplies demonstrate the power of collaboration in navigating a healthcare crisis. A more unified global approach ensures that resilience is not a privilege of a few but a shared standard for all.