On May 21, GSL Investigator A.M. Viens published a commentary in the BMJ together with York University Assistant Professor Oghenowede Eyawo, discussing the realities political elites in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are facing during the time of COVID-19.
In the article, Viens and Eyawo explain that decades of bad political decision-making by the political elite in LMICs has significantly weakened the health systems in these countries. Usually, the effects of these health systems are only felt by citizens of lower socioeconomic status in these countries, since elites can travel abroad for better health care.
With countries instituting travel bans during COVID-19, however, that is no longer an option and elites have to contend with the weak systems their decisions and underinvestment helped build. The hope is that in the aftermath of the pandemic, enlightened self-interest of political elites may finally provide sufficient motivation to invest in an effective and integrated health system.
Read the full article here.