K. Srinath Reddy
The writer is president, Public Health Foundation of India.
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Global Health Treaty to prevent pandemics and regulate antibiotic use
There’s a need for greater international cooperation in pandemic prevention, not just pandemic response. There’s a need for agreement on land and animal management, regulation of animal wet markets and measures to contain deforestation to prevent cross-species zoonotic spillover of microbes. Of course, we must regulate the use of antibiotics to reduce the danger of anti-microbial resistance, says K Srinath Reddy
Wed, Aug 10, 2022
Private healthcare must fuse ethics with efficiency
India’s mixed health system has evolved by default, not by design. We need to make the best use of all our healthcare providers and avoid exploitation of vulnerable patients. To improve access, affordability and quality of healthcare, we need the public sector to be more responsive, the private sector to be more responsible and the voluntary sector to be more resourceful, says Dr K. Srinath Reddy.
Wed, Jul 27, 2022
Long Covid can trouble the heart
Covid has led to endothelial dysfunction, resulting in loss of ability of blood vessels to dilate when needed. This can lead to high blood pressure, accelerated atherosclerosis and heart attacks. But fear not as the patient can recover over time, says cardiologist and epidemiologist Dr K. Srinath Reddy
Tue, Jul 12, 2022
K Srinath Reddy writes: The big C — A step closer to a cure
K Srinath Reddy writes: Dostarlimab, a new drug that unleashes the power of the immune system, offers hope to patients of rectal cancer. More studies are in order
Fri, Jun 10, 2022
Why has aspirin advice for heart protection changed?
The recent change in guidelines, to dis-favour the routine use of aspirin, takes into account the reduction in anticipated benefits due to the increased protection being offered by other drugs and non-drug measures.
Thu, Jun 02, 2022
To tackle Covid, lessons from flood preparedness
K Srinath Reddy writes: We need to move from a heightened pandemic response to a steady-state endemic response, being ready to shift gears as needed
Mon, May 16, 2022
What the plight of students in Ukraine reveals about medical education in India
K Srinath Reddy writes: There is a shortage of opportunities, which is partly a legacy of the MCI boards imposing rigid conditions to restrict the number of medical colleges, and partly due to limited government investment in the health sector.
Tue, Mar 08, 2022
How the Budget can push India’s health system transformation
The expanded ambit of health, as defined in last year’s budget, must continue for aligning other sectors to public health objectives
Mon, Jan 31, 2022
‘Protective’ vaccine doses will strengthen defences against Covid
🔴 K Srinath Reddy writes: Increase in ambit of vaccination comes as a relief to elderly, frontline workers, assuages parents’ concerns amid threat posed by the Omicron variant
Mon, Dec 27, 2021
As India approaches 100 crore Covid jabs, celebrations — and some lessons
K Srinath Reddy writes: Experience gained through this vaccination programme will be valuable for the design and delivery of other public health programmes across the country
Fri, Oct 22, 2021
Finding ways to live with the virus
K Srinath Reddy writes: Zero Covid strategies are coming to nought, globally. But vaccines and Covid-appropriate behaviour can take the sting out of the virus.
Sun, Aug 29, 2021
What the post-Covid doctor must know
K Srinath Reddy writes: Covid should catalyse changes in medical education, enhance the profession’s orientation towards scientific sensibility and compassion.
Fri, Jul 16, 2021
Does wider spacing of vaccine doses really work against the D variant of SARS-CoV-2?
K Srinath Reddy writes: Putting together the trials, post-vaccination studies and the real world experience of post-vaccination infections, it is clear that spacing out the doses is not rational
Fri, Jun 11, 2021
Design of a new health system could emerge from the Covid crucible, for universal health coverage
Decentralised planning, delivery and monitoring are needed at the district level, with the district collector and the district health officer mobilising resources and coordinating operations.
Tue, May 18, 2021
As Covid-19 cases climb again, a second test for India
While responding to the fresh Covid-19 wave with everything we have learnt about public health responses over the last year, we must also take care to ensure that our economic and social vulnerabilities are not exacerbated
Fri, Apr 02, 2021
India’s economy rides on health of its people. Budget 2021 must acknowledge that
Health research must be funded more, especially in the area of implementation research to ensure that more money for health translates to more health for the money.
Fri, Jan 29, 2021
Vaccine efficacy needs a nutrition booster
K Srinath Reddy writes: A vaccine only provides the antigenic stimulus for the body to react. How capably the body reacts is considerably influenced by the nutritional status and will vary among individuals.
Sat, Jan 16, 2021
Delhi has modified Covid strategies. For the future, a public health cadre must be created as a priority
Delhi has modified strategies, is stepping up to the Covid challenge. For the future, a public health cadre must be created as a priority.
Fri, Jul 17, 2020
Coronavirus pandemic reiterates need to strengthen public health systems, review production and consumption patterns
While national responses have varied, there are key messages that India must heed as it shapes and strengthens her own response. This is not new wisdom but past prescriptions that were not implemented.
Mon, Mar 23, 2020
Doctors as victims: Law to deter assaults on healthcare personnel is needed
It is the professional responsibility of doctors to decry any violence as a danger to the physical and mental health of individuals and of society. The 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is a good time for us all to work together to create a non-violent society where every citizen feels secure.
Thu, Sep 12, 2019
Health of a nation
In election season, parties promise universal health care. But it will need to be defined and monitored
Mon, Apr 15, 2019
What the heart knows
The history of cardiology through stories of daring innovations, painstaking research and chance discoveries.
Sat, Feb 09, 2019
The health transition
Progress on non-communicable diseases should not be benchmarked against sustainable development goals.
Fri, Oct 12, 2018
Writing our own exit lines
Supreme Court’s endorsement to the validity of the living will was much needed
Mon, Mar 19, 2018
Health warning
National Medical Commission Bill needs to be tended to, and improved, not abandoned
Fri, Jan 12, 2018