JAMA
November 12, 2014, Vol 312, No. 18
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

Viewpoint | November 12, 2014
The Ebola Outbreak, Fragile Health Systems, and Quality as a Cure
Andrew S. Boozary, MD, MPP1; Paul E. Farmer, MD, PhD2; Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH1,3,4
Author Affiliations
…CONCLUSIONS
Ebola represents a pressing global health crisis, but more are certain to follow. The outcomes of the next several months will reveal the capacity to forge effective partnerships across borders and disciplines, and the extent of the commitment to value all human lives equally. By responding to the crisis with a surge of stopgap solutions, it is possible (although unlikely) that such an approach could eventually stem the epidemic and end the morbidity and mortality for this current outbreak. Alternatively, responding to Ebola with a broader approach that involves meaningful investments in the provision of health care staff, resources, and systems could succeed now and help create sustainable models for the future. If the approach involves reengineering health systems around the patient, there remains an opportunity to bring lasting progress for those who need it most.