Dr Joanne Liu, a veteran humanitarian and former international president of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has seen the front lines of global health crises—from Ebola in West Africa to bombed-out hospitals in Afghanistan. But her message today is clear: “An imperfect solution is better than no solution.”

Speaking on the Global Health Matters podcast, Liu reflected on the values that shaped her career, the lessons learned during her years at MSF, and her call for renewed global solidarity.

“Young people come into my ER and tell me they don’t want to live any more,” she said. “They feel trapped in a cruel and unfair world. I want to convince them it’s better to fight than give up.”

In her new book, Ebola, Bombs, and Migrants, Liu recounts how fear and political interests often override humanitarian needs. She recalled how the world ignored West Africa’s Ebola crisis until the virus reached Europe and the U.S.

“States don’t have friends—they have interests,” she said.

Liu also discussed the devastating U.S. airstrike on MSF’s hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, which killed 42 people.

“We called everyone—the Pentagon, the UN—but no one stopped it,” she said.

The attack pushed MSF to campaign for stronger protections for medical missions.

Liu is now focused on shifting the power dynamics within global health.

“For every international staff member, there are nine or ten locally hired,” she said. “We need to rebalance who holds influence.”

Despite setbacks, Liu remains hopeful.

“There is beauty everywhere,” she said. “It’s action that brings hope, and hope that brings action.”

Listen to more episodes of the Global Health Matters podcast on Health Policy Watch.

Image Credits: Global Health Matters podcast.