Why Tuberculosis in India is a social problem

As we complete yet another year, we continue to stare at a TB epidemic in India. As I mentioned in my post last year that we have done precious little and often we seem to be distracted by newer and cooler diseases like AIDS.

I was talking to one of the health workers in Karnataka and came across a very interesting insight. She told me that Tuberculosis is a social problem in India more than health. When I asked her if she was referring to the social stigma attached with the disease, she just smiled and told me that the problem goes deeper. After an hour of our discussion I understood what the problem was…

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Is Olive Oil the answer to India’s Health problems ?

In the recent past many people known to me have asked me to write about the cooking oil scene in India. One of those is my aunt Poornima who is very particular about her health and has always wondered about the merits and demerits of Olive Oil.

My aunt is right. Last year India consumed 17 million tonnes of cooking oil. Oil has always been the mainstay of Indian cooking considering that the cooking method always employs frying and in some cases deep frying. And this has been repeatedly pointed out as one of the main reasons why almost a third of Indians are over weight.

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Indian doctors may need to re learn how to write prescriptions

 

imagesThere are two important aspects to a marketing document. The first is the content and the second is the delivery.

When it comes to prescriptions things are no different. There was the all time joke about the doctor’s handwriting, which it seems only a chemist could read. This long standing joke probably starts from medical college hostels, where the seniors make the juniors copy notes. I had to disguise my writing in order to get away from fag work when I was in the hostel at Manipal. Now this aspect is the delivery in a marketing context.

(Image Source: Pharmacy Clipart)

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Technology to change the model of care delivery in India? Some answers from the Cisco study

 

The global technology firm CISCO had published the results of a study they concluded in 10 countries in 2013.  If the study results are to be believed, respondents said that they were more comfortable using technology to talk to their doctors than ever before. So in a way basic Telehealth may finally take off across the globe.

Almost 76 % of the respondents said that they would rather call or text their physician than to meet them face to face. This is a direct result of the increased convergence in the adoption in technology seen in other sectors. Patients just like consumers, now feel the need for enhanced experience when they interact with care providers. This also provides an ample opportunity for knowledge sharing and collaboration among doctors, governments, patients and hospitals.

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