Living in the Age of Disasters: From Multilateral to Bilateral Aid

What is Operation Dost?

Introduction In July 2013, I wrote an article titled The Business of Disasters in my column (w)Health Check ((W)Health Check | Kapil Khandelwal KK). The idea in the article was to encourage the corporate sector in India to innovate business models to manage disasters. (see the text of the article below). The world in the… Continue reading Living in the Age of Disasters: From Multilateral to Bilateral Aid

Budget 2022: When is Healthcare’s Amrit Kaal Coming?

Budget 2022: When is Healthcare’s Amrit Kaal Coming?

Preamble On 1 February 2022, our Hon. Finance Minister presented her fourth budget in the Parliament and introduced the “Amrit Kaal” in Point 4 of her speech, “we are marking Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, and have entered into Amrit Kaal, the 25-year-long leadup to India@100. Hon’ble Prime Minister in his Independence Day address had set-out… Continue reading Budget 2022: When is Healthcare’s Amrit Kaal Coming?

Why is India’s National Digital Health Mission is likely to succeed?

Why is India’s National Digital Health Mission is likely to succeed?

Background Last year the Government of India announced the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). We were asked to review and comment on the draft as one of the stakeholders in healthcare. This inclusive approach to involve the various stake holders was never seen before. We believe that COVID-19 and NDHM has increased the pace of… Continue reading Why is India’s National Digital Health Mission is likely to succeed?

Windows 11 for Healthcare: Cosmetic Surgery But the Chronic Aliments Still Persist

Windows 11 for Healthcare

Happy Doctor’s Day! Background Last week, Microsoft showcased their latest Operating System (OS), The Windows 11. This is the new OS that will upgrade the Windows 10 that runs billions of computers globally. While talking to the analysts, Satya Nadela, the CEO and Chairman of Microsoft envisioned Windows 11 to be the ‘center’ of all… Continue reading Windows 11 for Healthcare: Cosmetic Surgery But the Chronic Aliments Still Persist

Healthy Financial Relief Package for People’s Health

Healthy Financial Relief Package for People’s Health

Background Last week, India’s Finance Minister announced a slew of financial relief to the stimulate growth and improve the healthcare infrastructure of the country which has been affected badly by the second wave of Covid. The package worth INR 0.62 million crores can be sub divided in three broad themes: Those that improve the financial… Continue reading Healthy Financial Relief Package for People’s Health

Ask What You Can Do for Me, My MP and MLA

Ask What You Can Do for Me, My MP and MLA

Background India is the world’s leading vaccine producer. However, a lot of discussions in the media by the politicians blaming the Center for the shortage of vaccines has been doing the rounds. One politician even went to the length of sharing the ‘formula’ of the vaccine to other so that they can manufacture the vaccines.… Continue reading Ask What You Can Do for Me, My MP and MLA

Health Economics of Tomato!

Health Economics of Tomato!

Background Finally one of the unicorns in the foodtech space has turned profitable. Zomato is going public with its IPO. With public money it will raise, will also come the public scrutiny of what it does to the public and society at large. Here are some of the data from the Zomato prospectus that summarizes… Continue reading Health Economics of Tomato!

Should We Impose Complete Lockdown Now?

Should We Impose Complete Lockdown Now?

Background Our Supreme Court has directed the Central and state governments to consider imposing a ban on mass gatherings and super spreader events. “We would seriously urge the Central and State governments to consider imposing a ban on mass gatherings and super spreader events. They may also consider imposing a lockdown to curb the virus… Continue reading Should We Impose Complete Lockdown Now?

In Search for An End(Demic)

In Search for An End(Demic)

The Coming of End(Demic)? I have been speaking with cross section of folks over the last few days. Covid Command Center Officials, Health Ministry Officials, Our Doctors, some experts across the world to understand what we are calling the ‘Second-Wave’ of Covid. Many social media posts, new reports are completely confusing the masses now that… Continue reading In Search for An End(Demic)

Fake, Fakier and Fakiest – The Fake News Pandemic – The New Normal to Denting Public Reputation?

Banner for Fake News

The Pandemic of Fake News During the lockdown there has been a marked increase in the incidence of fake news and its viral spread. According to a research falsehood diffused significantly farther, faster, deeper, and more broadly than the truth in all categories of information, and the effects were more pronounced for false political news… Continue reading Fake, Fakier and Fakiest – The Fake News Pandemic – The New Normal to Denting Public Reputation?