Shah Alam Khan
The writer is professor, department of orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The views expressed are personal.
Articles By Shah Alam Khan
National Medical Council Act offers little change, brings in a host of new problems
The NMC Act, in the garb of change, has some provisions which are far more problematic than those in the amended MCI Act. The constitution of the medical commission as proposed in the Act has issues of subjugating federalism at multiple levels.
Case for compassion
Violence incubates in our society. Insensitivity to it makes the doctor vulnerable.
Payal Tadvi’s suicide highlights, once again, discrimination in medical institutions
Social institutions and systems have rotted under the burden of caste. Educational institutions have been the preserves of the upper caste and the rich.
In five years, India’s largest minority has been cleaved from basic entitlements of democratic citizenship
The Muslims of India are different than their brethren in other parts of the world because they are the only Muslims on the planet (except Turkey) who have cherished 72 years of uninterrupted democracy.
For ruling regime and Opposition, healthcare doesn’t seem to be an issue
It is important to analyse why something as important as the health of a nation remains undiscussed during elections here. Illiteracy, lack of awareness, lack of political will, and, poor electoral ethics are some of the reasons which come to mind.
Implant Files: Who should own up to what
The Indian Express-ICIJ investigation has exposed the fault lines in the Indian healthcare system. The onus of action is on government because it is the single agency which can regulate both the implant manufacturers and the physicians.
A Cure Called Inclusion
Their marginalisation affects the health of tribal communities.
Cure that hurts
That Johnson and Johnson could get away without paying compensation after implanting faulty hip replacement devices points to a regulatory deficit, and lack of medical ethics
Diagnosing Bias
Arguments against those with disabilities pursuing medicine are prejudiced
The Cancer Refugees
Patient shelters must become part of urban infrastructure.
An unhealthy statement
Privatisation of healthcare, not just doctors, is to blame for corruption in the sector.
Dignity, but for whom?
Verdict on living wills does not take into account socioeconomic realities.
Walking with the dead
The need of a national hearse policy with a minimum corpus for transportation and cremation of dead bodies cannot be overemphasised. Developing protocols for the transportation of dead bodies from government and private hospitals with dignity is the duty of the state.
Redraw The Line
For most among us, faith would be bigger than science but faith masquerading as science is what we should all be wary of.
Cure lies elsewhere
Generic medicines can’t be the first, or only, step to reduce the cost of treatment
You Pay More, You Get More
At AIIMS, the issue is much more complicated.
How not to treat TB
State policy of restricting availability of anti-TB drug due to fears of antibiotic resistance is impractical and undemocratic
Cash and care
Demonetisation has affected people’s ability to access health facilities.
Not at the click of a mouse
AIIMS’s online appointment system has worked to the detriment of poor patients.
A low priority called health
Poor Indians are forced to look towards the private sector for healthcare. Bhutan and Ethiopia spend more than India does.
