From Crisis to Resilience: Strategic Health Industries for Health Security

Recent crises — from the COVID-19 pandemic to supply chain disruptions and regional conflicts — have exposed how vulnerable the infrastructure underpinning healthcare delivery can be. Hospital capacity, pharmaceutical manufacturing, resilient supply chains and secure digital health capabilities are increasingly recognized as strategic assets for health security, economic resilience and societal stability. Reliable access to essential medicines, diagnostics and healthcare services is no longer solely a health policy objective; it is becoming a core component of preparedness and long-term resilience.

This session will explore how countries can move from crisis reaction to structural resilience by investing in strategic health industries and innovation across the healthcare ecosystem. The discussion will examine how sustainable financing, resilient manufacturing, diversified supply chains, digital and data-driven capabilities, and stronger cross-sector partnerships can help safeguard essential care while supporting innovation, economic growth and equitable access.

Bringing together perspectives from government, international organizations, civil society, academia and industry, the panel will discuss how countries can reduce critical vulnerabilities without turning inward, how public and private actors can share responsibility for preparedness, and how innovation can be translated into more resilient, inclusive and future-ready health systems.