For decades, some of the world's wealthiest countries have funnelled trillions of dollars into sponsoring foreign wars, all while hospitals remain underfunded and millions of people lack access to basic healthcare. The irony of this is that the countries that champion progress are the same ones investing so much in destructive wars instead of saving lives and making the entire world a better place.
Kamel Ghribi, the president of GKSD Investment Holding Group and GSD International, is fed up with this irony. This is why he called it out while speaking recently during the International Summit on Children’s Rights in Vatican City. He called for a shift in global priorities, urging developed nations to redirect military spending toward healthcare, justice, and equality. His argument is simple: true power lies in healing, not in war.
The Human Cost of Misdirected Priorities
Let’s consider the stark reality of global health disparities. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, and 80% of these fatalities occur in low- and middle-income nations. Across African countries, only 20% of the population has access to basic healthcare, and a mere 5% can obtain life-saving cardiac surgery. Each year, congenital heart disease alone claims 330,000 newborn lives. These deaths are preventable, yet funding consistently prioritizes conflict over care.
Amid this immense need to save lives, the world's richest countries are busy building ever-advanced military arsenals. They don’t seem to care enough that healthcare systems in developing nations are collapsing under the weight of insufficient resources. The global health gap is not just a crisis —it is a direct result of policy choices that value dominance over dignity.
But It’s Never too Late to Act, Especially with the Rise of AI in Healthcare
The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) offers revolutionary, more effective alternatives in healthcare. And there’s a need to invest in this. AI-powered healthcare solutions are already transforming diagnostics, treatment, and patient care. Instead of pouring billions of dollars into weapons, developed nations have an opportunity to invest in:
Machine learning models can diagnose diseases like cancer and heart conditions earlier and more accurately than human doctors.
AI that analyses a patient’s unique genetic and medical history to tailor treatments, improving survival rates.
AI-powered diagnostics can help remote communities receive high-quality medical care without the need for expensive hospital infrastructure.
These innovations could drastically reduce global health inequalities. Yet, without proper funding and policy commitment, their potential remains untapped. Wealthy nations are uniquely positioned to lead this charge—but only if they choose to prioritize life over conflict.
Justice and Equality Begin With Health
Investing in healthcare is not just a moral imperative; it is a path to global stability. Studies consistently show that nations with strong healthcare systems experience lower rates of conflict and political unrest. Healthy societies are more productive, economically resilient, and socially stable. By contrast, war and weapons create cycles of destruction that benefit only a handful of powerful interests.
Ghribi's message is clear: “It does not matter if you are Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. It is humanity that counts; we are all born on this earth to be treated equally.” This fundamental principle should guide global policy.