Reporting on Health from India Together.https://indiatogether.org/en-inhttps://indiatogether.org/heat-deaths-count/https://indiatogether.org/heat-deaths-count/India has at least four official counts of heat-related deaths, and they routinely disagree by a factor of two or more. Rakesh Dubbudu traces why the numbers diverge so sharply, and what it costs the families and districts caught in the gap.Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/rj-health-health/https://indiatogether.org/rj-health-health/The fault lines laid bare by covid have made the public more attentive towards the state of health care. Rajasthan has introduced legislation to recognise the people's right to health care. Tamil Nadu also declared it would make health care access universal. Sweta Dash reports.Sat, 30 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/novax-health/https://indiatogether.org/novax-health/Vaccine policies involving denials of public entitlements fail to understand that many are unable to access the shots. Nor are they based on evidence-based science, public health practices and ethics. Such denials only disregard the dignity of people's lives in the most callous way imaginable. Sweta Dash reports.Sat, 15 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/farma-doc-health/https://indiatogether.org/farma-doc-health/Facing an acute shortage of doctors in rural areas, the state government hopes that some of their work could be done by pharmacists instead. But public health advocates are not so sure, and want a number of other steps they believe could be more effective. Sweta Dash reports.Fri, 15 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/endemic-covid-health/https://indiatogether.org/endemic-covid-health/Immunity conferred from natural infection and vaccines, patterns of social contact, and virus transmissibility will all play a role in what COVID-19 will look like as it continues to circulate in the months and years ahead, says Yonatan Grad .Sat, 18 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/nutr-garden-health/https://indiatogether.org/nutr-garden-health/Odisha's Livelihood Mission promotes local gardens to help adivasi families find food security. In the process, these gardens also improve nutrition levels, and provide additional incomes whenever there is surplus produce. Abhijit Mohanty reports.Mon, 23 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/eligible-vaccine-health/https://indiatogether.org/eligible-vaccine-health/All persons above the age of 18 are now eligible to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. On current course, however, there will be a much larger mismatch between demand and the ability of the system to push out doses, say Renuka Sane and Ajay Shah .Tue, 04 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/covid-wave-health/https://indiatogether.org/covid-wave-health/The pandemic's threat level at any given time is determined by both the infectiousness of the virus strains and the level of caution that people exhibit. And new strains could keep emerging. Vaccinate yourself, says Mukund Thattai.Sat, 24 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/lpg-back-burner-economy/https://indiatogether.org/lpg-back-burner-economy/The distribution of LPG to rural households is far from satisfactory. An analysis of the reasons by the Prayas Energy Group finds that a comprehensive review of the performance and accountability of different institutions in the supply chain is needed, along with an independent regulator.Fri, 12 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/covid-tech-health/https://indiatogether.org/covid-tech-health/Start-ups and technology wizards put together a voluntary group of over 6500 doctors in the largest ever tele-medicine effort to fight Covid-19. India must use this start to create a National Health Digital Core to deal with future emergencies, says Ramesh Menon.Sun, 12 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/working-people-coronavirus-economy/https://indiatogether.org/working-people-coronavirus-economy/The Working Peoples' Charter on Coronavirus Crisis in India lists a number of steps necessary to ensure that the likely disruption to the lives and livelihoods of millions of vulnerable people is thoughtfully addressed.Sat, 21 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/our-health-initiative-health/https://indiatogether.org/our-health-initiative-health/A vocal community demanding its health rights through greater participation local governance is the key to long term change, and this may be finally starting to happen in a few places, writes Puja Awasthi.Tue, 23 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/freedom-to-choose-death-health/https://indiatogether.org/freedom-to-choose-death-health/The Supreme Court in a landmark judgment has allowed passive euthanasia, thereby giving succour to terminally ill patients and their relatives, but is India culturally ready for this move? Ramesh Menon reports.Sat, 17 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/defeating-the-deadly-diarrhea-children/https://indiatogether.org/defeating-the-deadly-diarrhea-children/Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of child mortality in our country. Reasonably priced vaccines backed by the government are now available to help stop this malady, says Swapna Majumdar.Fri, 17 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/chugging-along-in-the-name-of-sustainability-government/https://indiatogether.org/chugging-along-in-the-name-of-sustainability-government/Kanchi Kohli raises questions on the Voluntary National Review report which shows India’s efforts to achieve seven of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals.Sun, 12 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/ignorance-can-lead-to-blindness-health/https://indiatogether.org/ignorance-can-lead-to-blindness-health/There are 70 million diabetics in India, 80 percent of them have vision problems about which they are either not aware or lack access to good eye care. Swapna Majumdar reports how NGOs are partnering to reach out to the marginalised and providing them better eye care and prevention.Wed, 27 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/why-must-only-the-poor-suffer-health/https://indiatogether.org/why-must-only-the-poor-suffer-health/In Barwani, Madhya Pradesh, people lost their sight after botched up cataract surgeries. Was it because the organizers, the medical and paramedical staff of the district hospital did not take necessary steps? Or was the quality of medication used questionable? Or, because the victims are too marginalised and too poor to protest? Asks Shoma Chatterji.Tue, 05 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/hiv-care-and-the-aftermath-health/https://indiatogether.org/hiv-care-and-the-aftermath-health/Much has been said about India’s success in containing the spread of the AIDS epidemic. But can it build on the progress so far and ensure that survivors receive the dignity and social security they need? Pushpa Achanta’s conversations on the eve of World AIDS Day aren’t heartening.Tue, 01 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/mental-health-issues-health/https://indiatogether.org/mental-health-issues-health/On World Mental Health Day, Pushpa Achanta shares the struggle of some mental illness survivors she met recently and hopes that our nation's Mental Health Program is implemented by the government earnestly.Sat, 10 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/slum-dwellers-in-assam-suffer-from-poor-sanitation-and-hygiene-health/https://indiatogether.org/slum-dwellers-in-assam-suffer-from-poor-sanitation-and-hygiene-health/Sanitary conditions in most of the slum areas in Assam are abysmal. Ignorance about cleanliness, lack of water supply and proper working toilets, absence of covered drainage and sewage, and no action from the local and state government are to be blamed for the mess, reports Nilotpal Bhattacharjee.Tue, 08 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/rural-girls-need-more-than-sanitary-napkins-health/https://indiatogether.org/rural-girls-need-more-than-sanitary-napkins-health/Handing out non-biodegradable sanitary pads to rural school girls who have reached menarche will not address their menstrual hygiene issue. Clean and functional toilets with water supply, awareness about menstruation, economical and biodegradable pads and more is needed, finds Puja Awasthi.Wed, 02 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/not-a-healthy-nation-health/https://indiatogether.org/not-a-healthy-nation-health/The out-of-pocket health expenditure by the poor is spiraling and the government spending on public health care is reducing. The existing public health programes and insurance schemes are failing; private health care sector is not properly regulated; Shambhu Ghatak finds the health of our nation worrisome.Thu, 20 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/in-the-national-capital-no-policy-for-persons-with-disabilities-health/https://indiatogether.org/in-the-national-capital-no-policy-for-persons-with-disabilities-health/The Comptroller and Auditor General performance audit of the social welfare schemes for Persons with Disabilities run by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Delhi, covering the years from 2009 to 2014, which got tabled recently brought forth some shocking facts, writes Himanshu Upadhyaya.Fri, 24 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/india-s-sanitation-puzzle-health/https://indiatogether.org/india-s-sanitation-puzzle-health/The focus on ending open defecation and ensuring a toilet in every home is a limited one. Lasting success will require a much larger focus on sanitation, writes Aditya Bhol.Mon, 13 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/blood-samples-for-sink-test-health/https://indiatogether.org/blood-samples-for-sink-test-health/Unnecessary tests, forced hospitalisations to meet the targets set for employed physicians, and the infamous but real ‘sink test’: the shocking realities in the private healthcare sector are many, as Pavan Kulkarni finds out at a panel discussion on the issue. Is more regulation the need of the hour?Mon, 08 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/food-safety-issue-health/https://indiatogether.org/food-safety-issue-health/As the country boils over in outrage against Nestle following the detection of dangerous levels of lead in its popular Maggi brand, Sarika Agarwal takes an objective look at the possible real sources of contamination and the core issues related to food safety.Sat, 06 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/medical-corruption-and-dr-arun-gadre-account-health/https://indiatogether.org/medical-corruption-and-dr-arun-gadre-account-health/Tales of medical malpractice and its impact on patients are all too common in India. But what does the culture of corruption mean for one who wishes to remain true to the noble profession that he had chosen for himself? Pavan Kulkarni finds out.Tue, 21 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/workshop-highlights-impact-of-coal-power-plants-and-industry-pollution-on-community-health-health/https://indiatogether.org/workshop-highlights-impact-of-coal-power-plants-and-industry-pollution-on-community-health-health/A recent workshop in Karnataka focused on the health impact of coal-based power plants and other industrial pollutants and shared valuable inputs on how to empower local communities to combat the same. Shripad Dharmadhikary reports.Mon, 16 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/emergency-medical-services-on-indian-railways-government/https://indiatogether.org/emergency-medical-services-on-indian-railways-government/The Rail Budget this year has been hailed for its pragmatic approach and emphasis on modernisation and customer experience. Tanvi Bhatikar raises a critical issue that needs to be addressed in order to deliver on those fronts.Thu, 12 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/rude-behaviour-and-maltreatment-of-women-in-labour-in-government-hospitals-health/https://indiatogether.org/rude-behaviour-and-maltreatment-of-women-in-labour-in-government-hospitals-health/Institutionalised delivery is encouraged as a means of reducing maternal/infant mortality, but the misbehaviour meted to pregnant women in government hospitals deters them, and others who hear of their experiences, from seeking such care. Ruhi Kandhari reports.Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/auditors-of-maternal-health-for-tribal-mothers-and-children-in-nandurbar-health/https://indiatogether.org/auditors-of-maternal-health-for-tribal-mothers-and-children-in-nandurbar-health/In the tribal villages of Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, committed social workers are improving the health and lives of mothers and children by spreading awareness about the needs of women and girls. Dilnaz Boga brings you their stories.Tue, 13 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/sterilisation-camp-chhattisgarh-counterfeit-spurious-drugs-health/https://indiatogether.org/sterilisation-camp-chhattisgarh-counterfeit-spurious-drugs-health/With a recent drug sample report confirming the presence of rat poison in medicines administered to Chhattisgarh’s hapless tubectomy victims, it is yet another wake-up call for India to address the threats posed by its $4.25-billion fake drugs market. Tanvi Bhatikar lays out some stark facts.Mon, 24 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/corruption-in-medical-council-of-india-and-harshvardhan-s-removal-government/https://indiatogether.org/corruption-in-medical-council-of-india-and-harshvardhan-s-removal-government/The conduct of election of members to the Medical Council of India in 2013 and its subsequent actions over the past year have underlined the brazen corruption in the regulatory body. Developments in the health ministry raise doubts over whether these issues will be tackled at all. A round up:Wed, 12 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/health-impact-of-indoor-air-pollution-through-solid-biomass-cooking-fuel-health/https://indiatogether.org/health-impact-of-indoor-air-pollution-through-solid-biomass-cooking-fuel-health/It has been widely established that the health impact of indoor air pollution, caused often by solid fuels for household cooking, far outweighs the hazards of outdoor pollution. Arpana HS quotes data from the Census and findings from a recent paper to show why India needs to tackle this on priority.Thu, 06 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/assam-boat-clinics-deliver-healthcare-to-char-residents-health/https://indiatogether.org/assam-boat-clinics-deliver-healthcare-to-char-residents-health/For the three million plus marginalised people living on the shifting riverine ‘chars’ on the Brahmaputra in Assam, ‘boat clinics’ arrive once every month with basic health supplies, services and education. Ratna Bharali Talukdar reports on this innovative healthcare delivery system.Thu, 30 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/radiation-risk-from-cell-phone-use-health/https://indiatogether.org/radiation-risk-from-cell-phone-use-health/Did you know a cell phone in a moving car emits significantly greater radiation, half of which could be absorbed by the brain while talking? A renowned epidemiologist from the US warns users of this and other cell-phone related hazards in the course of her recent talks in India. Darryl D’Monte reports.Fri, 24 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/modi-us-visit-intellectual-property-rights-patent-laws-trips-government/https://indiatogether.org/modi-us-visit-intellectual-property-rights-patent-laws-trips-government/The government’s clarification on the Indo-US joint statement on Intellectual Property Rights issued during Modi’s visit to the United States highlights the imperative of maintaining India’s original stance on patent laws and refusal to yield to US demands made in its Special 301 Report. Shambhu Ghatak has more.Tue, 14 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/impact-of-prohibition-on-alcoholism-andhra-kerala-society/https://indiatogether.org/impact-of-prohibition-on-alcoholism-andhra-kerala-society/The recent decision of the Kerala government to phase out sale of liquor and become a dry state has renewed the debate on prohibition as an effective deterrent. Pushpa Achanta examines trends in alcoholism and de-addiction to show why it may be all for nothing.Tue, 23 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/book-review-of-gita-aravamudan-s-baby-makers-on-surrogacy-society/https://indiatogether.org/book-review-of-gita-aravamudan-s-baby-makers-on-surrogacy-society/Gita Aravamudan’s book Baby Makers is a bare-it-all picture of surrogacy in India, and exposes the multiple facets of the practice through the lens of a keen investigative journalist. Padmalatha Ravi shares more details about the volume.Tue, 09 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/healthcare-trouble-in-post-bifurcation-andhra-telangana-health/https://indiatogether.org/healthcare-trouble-in-post-bifurcation-andhra-telangana-health/Already struggling with low budgetary allocation for healthcare and shortage of trained staff, health services in Telangana and residual Andhra Pradesh have taken a more serious hit due to issues arising out of bifurcation. Tejaswini Pagadala reports.Mon, 21 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMT