On June 18, 2026, the World Health Leadership Network (WHLNet), in partnership with the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), hosted a broadcast discussion titled Why Do Leadership and Management Matter in Healthcare? What Do They Actually Contribute?
Moderated by Prof. Anurag Saxena, the session featured insights from Dr. Vijay Agarwal and Dr. Laura Desveaux, who explored the critical role leadership and management play in supporting safe, high-quality, and sustainable healthcare systems.
The discussion highlighted how effective leadership and management help healthcare organizations navigate increasing complexity, workforce challenges, financial pressures, and ongoing system transformation. Speakers emphasized that leadership and management are not separate or competing functions but complementary capabilities that enable healthcare teams to deliver the best possible care.
Key themes included the importance of creating cultures of safety and learning, building organizational capacity, fostering collaboration, supporting continuous improvement, and ensuring healthcare systems remain responsive to the needs of patients and communities.
Participants from across different healthcare systems engaged in a global conversation, reinforcing the shared need for evidence-informed, collaborative leadership that remains closely connected to frontline care.
The session concluded with a clear message: leadership and management are fundamental components of effective healthcare systems and play a vital role in supporting healthcare professionals and improving patient outcomes.
A recording of the broadcast is available through the ISQua Community Dashboard for ISQua Members and Guests. Those interested in learning more can also access the full blog post summarizing the discussion and key insights from the session.