Global health leadership: Recall the past to better understand the present

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic makes us reflect on the lessons learnt from history, which witnessed the loss of lives, opportunities and leadership. The authors attempt to discuss the implications of the past on dealing with the contemporary health crisis. The scale and unpredictability of the coronavirus have shaken our systems and access to them in a significant way. Regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or age, health care leaders at every level of health system including frontline health care professionals such as nurses, physicians and medical rescuers are confronted with the unprecedented situations that require values-driven, ethical approaches. A once-in-a-hundred-years pandemic offers an opportunity for health leaders to reconsider and refresh the values and priorities they espouse, renew a commitment to strive for a more humanized approach to the pandemic, solidarity, equality and democracy and, of course, shared, scientific knowledge. As we learn from history, humanity will celebrate a victory against current and future pandemics.