Columnists

K. Srinath Reddy

The writer is president, Public Health Foundation of India.

Does wider spacing of vaccine doses really work against the D variant of SARS-CoV-2?

Fri, Jun 11, 2021

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

Design of a new health system could emerge from the Covid crucible, for universal health coverage

Tue, May 18, 2021

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.

As Covid-19 cases climb again, a second test for India

Fri, Apr 02, 2021

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

India’s economy rides on health of its people. Budget 2021 must acknowledge that

Fri, Jan 29, 2021

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.

Vaccine efficacy needs a nutrition booster

Sat, Jan 16, 2021

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.

Delhi has modified Covid strategies. For the future, a public health cadre must be created as a priority

Fri, Jul 17, 2020

Delhi has modified strategies, is stepping up to the Covid challenge. For the future, a public health cadre must be created as a priority.

Coronavirus pandemic reiterates need to strengthen public health systems, review production and consumption patterns

Mon, Mar 23, 2020

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.

Doctors as victims: Law to deter assaults on healthcare personnel is needed

Thu, Sep 12, 2019

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.

Health of a nation

Mon, Apr 15, 2019

In election season, parties promise universal health care. But it will need to be defined and monitored

What the heart knows

Sat, Feb 09, 2019

The history of cardiology through stories of daring innovations, painstaking research and chance discoveries.

The health transition

Fri, Oct 12, 2018

Progress on non-communicable diseases should not be benchmarked against sustainable development goals.

Writing our own exit lines

Mon, Mar 19, 2018

Supreme Court’s endorsement to the validity of the living will was much needed

Health warning

Fri, Jan 12, 2018

National Medical Commission Bill needs to be tended to, and improved, not abandoned

States of healthcare

Wed, Nov 29, 2017

Data from Global Burden of Disease study will help states chart their individual trajectories. They need to strengthen disease monitoring systems

Beyond the lament

Thu, Aug 17, 2017

Gorakhpur was only the acute manifestation of the chronic malady that ails our health system

How to heal healthcare?

Sat, Jun 25, 2016

Arun Gadre and Abhay Shukla present a searing critique of various distortions that have converted medicine in to a cynically commercial activity.

A Friendly Force

Fri, Apr 08, 2016

Research on benign effects of bacteria on nutrition has policy implications.

The post-dengue prognosis

Tue, Sep 22, 2015

The steady state efficiency of healthcare needs to be raised so that crises like this one can be avoided.

The Doctor Won’t See You Now

Sat, Mar 21, 2015

It is the pathetic state of the public health system that hits you in the gut, as you read this book.

The primary focus

Fri, Dec 12, 2014

A national health assurance scheme could start with basic services.

Living with the microbiome

Mon, Aug 27, 2012

The discovery of trillions of bacteria in our bodies changes our sense of self

The doctor is out

Fri, Apr 27, 2012

The expectation that they should return is legitimate but it cannot be enforced

Hé Bug-One!

Fri, Apr 29, 2011

His Excoriating Highness Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus,of flesh-eating fame,glowered at the motley crowd of now muted microbes

Science,sense and sensation

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

Picking on the superbugs origins is futile. India should be concerned about antibiotic resistance....

Working for a healthy heart

Sat, Sep 26, 2009

India lost 9.2 mn potentially productive years of life due to cardiovascular deaths in a year....