The COVID-19 pandemic, originating in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, swiftly escalated into a global health crisis by March 2020, severely impacting nations worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) faced criticism for delayed responses and underreporting, particularly from China, compounded by geopolitical tensions and funding shortages. This constrained the WHO’s ability to effectively manage the pandemic. Additionally, national responses varied significantly, influencing outcomes. Key factors contributing to the state’s failure to address COVID-19 effectively include delayed government actions, governance and leadership failures, poor communication, and inadequate economic support. Early and stringent measures, as demonstrated by New Zealand, resulted in better outcomes compared to countries like Italy and the United States, which experienced severe outbreaks due to delayed responses and inconsistent communication. Governance issues, such as the lack of cohesive strategies and leadership coordination, were evident in countries like Indonesia and Japan, leading to inconsistent policy implementation and poor outcomes. Economic support measures played a critical role in public compliance and economic stability. Countries like the UK provided substantial financial aid, yet disparities in support led to ongoing struggles for low-income families. In contrast, countries in the Global South faced significant challenges in providing adequate economic support, exacerbating existing inequalities and complicating pandemic management. Recommendations for future responses include improving targeted health interventions, enhancing community engagement in policy-making, increasing international financial and technical support, and revising global health treaties to ensure equitable resource access. These steps are essential to build more resilient health systems capable of effectively managing future global health crises.