Well, we have achieved great things in the past centuries, including medical progress.
In the 19th century, Pasteur discovered the principle of vaccination by using inactivated viruses to stimulate the immune system! Pretty awesome. Then, we learned to use proteins, toxins and even synthetic vaccines! Now, many illnesses are nearly extinct. When we found out that cholera was caused by contaminated water, we improved sewer treatment. We discovered antibiotics in 1928, etc.
Nowadays, there are much less infectious diseases (covid is an exception). Our problems seem to be more and more caused by our food and our environment (chemicals particuarly).
Before the 18th/19th century, most illnesses were treated by bloodletting! So, we're slow, but we learn stuff! If we look at how much we've improved, I'd say we're pretty damn good. Of course, we're not as good as what we would want to be (especially as a collective), but ideals are here to guide us, not to be respected.
I also think that conflict is very useful for improvement. Uniformity actual impedes researcg. Anyway, I'll stop there, because I'm rambling on again