Over the past several weeks, we have all been reminded about the inequities that exist within our society via shocking and inexcusable actions. Sadly, these are just the latest in a series of events that have spanned generations in the United States and globally. Even those of us who have believed we have been strong champions for equity have been further “awoken” to the fact we need to do more. In fact, as a white male, I am obligated to do more to help shape a future where inequity no longer exists.

This is a crucial moment in time as we observe a myriad of storms that are gathering: the Black Lives Matter storm testing systemic racism consciousness and our morale fabric; the COVID-19/financial storm that is dashing public health protection measures against economic recovery; the social media storm influencing mindsets and behaviours; and an employee storm of no permanence and uncertainty.

At this time of Black lives Matters, it is time for examining our inner selves and to ask why it is that in 2020 we are still dealing with ingrained racism. I grew up in Apartheid South Africa and my formative years made...

On either side of the Atlantic, the US Black Lives Matter protests over the death of George Floyd, and the calls for a UK enquiry into the disproportionate death rate from the COVID-19 infection of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups, are energising communities and fair-minded folk globally.

South Africa has one of the highest inequality levels in the world and an extremely polarised healthcare system. On the one end, there exists a seemingly high-functioning, expensive private healthcare system serving approximately 16% of the population with hospital services, and up to a third of the population with out-patient services.

In 1778, John Newton, a slave trader, was in a vessel hit by a terrible storm. John Newton had a conversion that lead to his writing of “Amazing Grace”. Despite his spiritual conversion, it took John Newton another eight years to end his slave trading. He wrote,

This is a time of sadness around the world as we face the impact of the pandemic and the ongoing challenges to human dignity. ISQua is an international organisation that believes in the core values of humanity, of equity and justice, with a mission to improve health and healthcare. Equity is one of the intrinsic values of quality, yet it is the most elusive.