It was a phone call I have received many times in my career, late at night a colleague describing a patient with an injury that needs to be treated, but this time was different. A global pandemic was in full swing.
This time, a phone call summoned me to the Kenyatta National Hospital. The nurse described the patient's severe compound tibia fracture, his exposed bone needed to be cleaned up and stabilised urgently. Then came the bombshell: he was also Covid-positive. Fear gripped me – there were no vaccines yet and we didn’t even know much about the disease at the time.
Donning what looked like a movie-prop isolation suit – layers of stifling PPE, two masks and an eye shield – each step towards the operating room felt heavy. Not just with the physical weight, but with the profound responsibility and inherent risk. Operating under these conditions was a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities and urgent needs of healthcare systems during crises.
Those dark days still haunt me. Memories of colleagues lost, who faced the pandemic head-on with bravery that rivalled the fear in our hallways. Their dedication defined not only their character, but the ethos of a community under siege by an invisible enemy.
But as we stand on the cusp of what could be another global health crisis, a critical question demands attention: Are we truly ready for the next pandemic?
Our past experiences have exposed the physical and emotional toll pandemics take on healthcare workers. We witnessed gaps in our systems, shortages of essential supplies and the immense strain on facilities and personnel.
While strides have been made in vaccine development and disease surveillance, the real test lies in equipping frontline workers with not only the tools, but also the ongoing support they need to effectively combat future crises.
Organisations like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations are leading the charge, proactively mapping viruses with pandemic potential. This forward-looking approach is crucial, but is it enough? Identifying threats is just the first step – our responses must be quick, coordinated and comprehensive.
Similarly, global collaboration and substantial funding spearheaded by entities like CEPI and the World Economic Forum have fostered advancements like the rapid development of Covid-19 vaccines. These successes highlight a vital question: Are we building a resilient global system robust enough to handle pandemics, or are we merely reacting in crisis mode?
At the country level, my Kenyan experiences resonate deeply with the call for resilient health systems. Strengthening our infrastructure is essential, but the true test of resilience lies in maintaining, not just erecting, these systems. Preparedness must be a sustained state of readiness, not a series of reactive actions.
Moreover, the lessons drawn from Covid-19 provide a blueprint for the future. Analysing responses by countries and organisations offers invaluable insights, but also reveals existing gaps. How effectively are we integrating these learnings into health policies and emergency responses? Are we adapting quickly enough to the past's lessons to face future challenges?
While commendable and essential, both global and local efforts raise a lingering question: Are they enough? As we navigate the pandemic's aftermath and look towards the future, we must challenge ourselves and our leaders to not only plan, but to ensure those plans are as dynamic and adaptable as the viruses we aim to defeat.
Only through sustained commitment, proactive measures and adaptable plans can we hope to protect not just individual countries, but the global community as a whole.
Orthopaedic surgeon and a 2024 Global Surgery Advocacy Fellow