Vulnerability & Cracks in Healthcare Systems

The current global healthcare system is largely centralized, weak, and riddled with cracks, as exposed by COVID-19 and lockdowns.

This is worst in developing nations. Wars, lockdowns, censorship, earthquakes, and other natural or man-made disasters hinder access to medicines.

In such situations, one-click access to essential medications is vital for survival.

During the lockdown, people died not from COVID-19 but from underlying illnesses due to the inability to access medications. A study published in the Journal of Nature and Science of Medicine revealed that drug-shortage reports persisted across developed and developing countries from the first week of lockdowns, continuing for years even after official availability announcements.

The absence of a resilient, decentralised healthcare system capable of withstanding disasters is critical and requires immediate attention.