SECOND OPINION: A surgeon’s view of healthcare and policy in India
A different treatment for cancer
Dr Ravi Kannan, winner of this year's Magsaysay award, has been recognized for his work in providing holistic healthcare and cancer care to the underserved in India.
Doc, what pills should we pop?
NMC’s recently released ethics code asked doctors to prescribe generic medicines. Quality low-cost generics are key to healthcare. That doctors are uneasy tells its own story
‘Doctor, one prescription please…’
India has more than six lakh medical representatives. They are described as the interface between doctors and pharma. Traditionally graduates from a variety of backgrounds took up this job but…
To attend or not to attend a funeral
The crematorium wasn’t very far. It was at a time of day convenient to me. But I dilly-dallied, sending several non-committal messages
Who is an Indian doctor?
The diversity and inequity of healthcare in India means there is no one "classic" Indian doctor. Recognizing this diversity is important to improve healthcare for both doctors and citizens.
Is second opinion a healthy strategy?
Seeking a second opinion is currently a cloak and dagger act. Laden with fear and guilt. We take multiple opinions in many aspects of our lives without using this loaded term. It is perfectly understandable in healthcare, which involves life and death
What lies beneath
A few weeks ago there was news that resident doctors from JJ Hospitals’s ophthalmology department had collectively complained against their current and ex head for harassment and lack of training it initially sounded like an intradepartmental fracas.
Testing, testing, testing
The evidence suggests that all-encompassing blanket testing when you are healthy doesn’t help. Many countries don’t promote or offer them. No scientific organisation recommends them. What’s instead recommended is selective targeted testing