Insights for Resilient and Patient-Centric Healthcare Systems

Abstract Geo-political tensions, wars, natural disasters, and health emergencies in recent years illustrate the importance and potential fragility of healthcare systems in the criticality of their continuity in the face of adversity. In addition to the impact on the economy and business, the effects on human lives are disastrous. According to the WHO, over 7 million lives were lost globally due to COVID-19, with the pandemic causing significant disruptions to health services. In early 2022, the WHO reported continued COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions of essential health services in 90% of the 129 countries surveyed; for example, in more than half of the countries, many people were still unable to access primary and community care, 36% of countries experienced significant emergency care disruptions, and 59% saw delays and cancellations of elective surgeries. Both staff and funds were reassigned from supporting noncommunicable disease services to COVID-19, resulting in avoidable illness, disability, and death as people were unable to get care for other conditions, like heart disease and diabetes. In addition to their direct impacts on people’s lives, pandemics, war, and other disasters may affect healthcare centers more broadly; lead to water, energy, and medical supply shortages; and impact access to healthcare facilities when infrastructure is damaged. Travel to some healthcare facilities may become more complex and dangerous, and the demands on the medical system may be poorly distributed, with some local regional healthcare systems overburdened while others remain underused.