Descripción

Ethical leadership is key in healthcare administration to ensure fair and efficient systems based on principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. This article analyzes, through a bibliographic review (2020–2024) and the Colombian context, how the lack of ethical leadership has impacted the effectiveness of the healthcare system and public trust, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings highlight the importance of ethical leadership in addressing inequalities in access, resource shortages, and corruption, prioritizing transparent and equitable decisions that benefit the population. Despite its historical relevance in healthcare, implementing ethical leadership faces challenges due to resource limitations and external pressures. Achieving this balance is essential to strengthen healthcare institutions and ensure patient dignity in a context of social justice.