In light of the COVID-19 virus that continues to plague China and other countries, we caught up with Tikki Pangestu, Visiting Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Professor Pangestu spent 13 years at the World Health Organization in Geneva as Director of Research Policy and Cooperation Department. He shares his insider's view of the global health response. This podcast episode was recorded on 14 February 2020 and does not take into account more recent developments of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.