Articles by: Bobby Ramakant

Growing support globally to end HIV medicine stockouts in India

Growing support globally to end HIV medicine stockouts in India

Several networks of people living with HIV are pouring in support to the ongoing indefinite sit-in (since 21st July 2022) outside offices of India’s AIDS programme, to demand an end of stockout of HIV medicines, and ensure minimum one-month dispensation of these medicines nationwide. The government of India’s guidelines of 2018 state that those persons stable on the HIV therapy[Read More…]

by 27/08/2022 Comments are Disabled India
No #HealthForAll without peace: Attack on healthcare facilities is war crime, must stop

No #HealthForAll without peace: Attack on healthcare facilities is war crime, must stop

Slogans like ‘every life matters’ sound so clichéd and hollow when we see the ground reality in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia armed conflict: healthcare workers, healthcare facilities and transport are getting mercilessly attacked causing immediate and long-term damages as well as menacingly threatening the progress made on right to health in the past decades. Former Secretary General of the United Nations[Read More…]

by 16/03/2022 1 comment World
 When people with HIV can live normal lives then why 680,000 AIDS deaths in 2020?

 When people with HIV can live normal lives then why 680,000 AIDS deaths in 2020?

When we know how to prevent HIV transmission, and how to keep every person living with HIV healthy, then how can one fathom deaths of at least 680,000 people due to AIDS-related illnesses in 2020 worldwide? And how can one explain, at least 1.5 million new HIV infections occurring globally in 2020? “Every new HIV infection is a reality check[Read More…]

by 30/11/2021 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Will India’s One billion vaccination-dose-milestone be catalytic for vaccinating all?

Will India’s One billion vaccination-dose-milestone be catalytic for vaccinating all?

On 21 October 2021, India crossed its milestone of administering over 1 billion (100 crores) doses within 278 days since it began the vaccination rollout (on 16th January 2021). The World Health Organization (WHO) calls upon all countries to ensure that at least 70% of their population must be fully vaccinated by June 2022. India aims to cross 70% goalpost[Read More…]

by 21/10/2021 Comments are Disabled India
What if TB, HIV medicines stop working? Experts unite against drug resistance

What if TB, HIV medicines stop working? Experts unite against drug resistance

A picture containing text, person, person, suit Description automatically generatedOne year and 10 months ago when first case of corona virus was reported in Wuhan, China, entire world was terrified because no one knew if we have any medicine that will work against it. Possibly our worst fears came true and we witnessed the horrendous impact of the pandemic. One[Read More…]

by 14/10/2021 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Malaria vaccine: Vital addition to toolkit for preventing malaria but no magic bullet

Malaria vaccine: Vital addition to toolkit for preventing malaria but no magic bullet

It is indeed a breakthrough scientific achievement that we Diagram Description automatically generated with medium confidencenow have the first-ever and only malaria vaccine to prevent malaria in children. This is an important (and long-awaited) addition to existing range of scientifically proven effective methods to prevent malaria. While we celebrate this moment of yet another milestone scientific feat we must remind[Read More…]

by 08/10/2021 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Science must guide India, UK: Stoking vaccine nationalism will fail us all

Science must guide India, UK: Stoking vaccine nationalism will fail us all

One of the seven sins we should not commit as warned by Mahatma Gandhi, is “science without humanity”. But are we conscious enough to ensure that the global fight against Covid is mindful of Gandhi ji’s message? Right before Gandhi ji’s birth anniversary, government of India announced its reciprocal policy for UK nationals arriving in India to undergo mandatory quarantine[Read More…]

by 03/10/2021 Comments are Disabled World
World Lung Day | Air is deadlier than we thought it is!

World Lung Day | Air is deadlier than we thought it is!

While we observe World Lung Day, let us also pay heed to the latest policy guidelines on one of the major preventable risk factors of deadliest of lung diseases: air pollution. The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its latest Air Quality Guidelines that after rigorous scientific review has lowered the maximum upper limit of six top deadly air pollutants.[Read More…]

by 25/09/2021 Comments are Disabled Environmental Protection
UK’s decision to consider vaccinated Indians as ‘unvaccinated’ stinks of apartheid, lacks scientific merit

UK’s decision to consider vaccinated Indians as ‘unvaccinated’ stinks of apartheid, lacks scientific merit

Recent decision of the United Kingdom (UK) to consider fully vaccinated Indians along with some other nationalities as ‘unvaccinated’ lacks scientific merit and instead stinks of white supremacy and apartheid era. It is important to mention that 90% of the vaccines rolled out in India are Covishield. Covishield vaccine, is Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, whose research was done by UK based[Read More…]

by 21/09/2021 Comments are Disabled India
Step up the pace globally if universal vaccination could lead us out of the pandemic

Step up the pace globally if universal vaccination could lead us out of the pandemic

The Covid pandemic has hard drilled the lesson why health and social security of each one of us is inter-dependent on health and social security of one another. But do we see more equity (or inequity) in the Covid response, such as the rollout of the vaccination worldwide? Inequitable distribution of vaccine, diagnostics, oxygen, personnel protective equipment, and other necessary[Read More…]

by 19/09/2021 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
 Why is public transport not good enough to make private vehicle ownership unnecessary?

 Why is public transport not good enough to make private vehicle ownership unnecessary?

If the goal is to protect environment from automobile pollution, improve road safety, and end economic disparities in the society, then vehicle scrappage policy is not likely to deliver on these tall promises. Rather such a policy could be counter-productive if we look closely at the aforementioned goals. Such a policy is another example of promoting market-based solutions to benefit[Read More…]

by 17/08/2021 Comments are Disabled India
Courtesy : DOMINIC XAVIER / Rediff.com

Who Should Be Held Responsible For Deaths Due To Negligence?

by Bobby Ramakant and Sandeep Pandey When India was reeling under the severest impact of the Covid pandemic, and the peak of around 450,000 new cases was reported in 24 hours around mid April 2021, then an interesting chronology of events were taking place regarding the Covid vaccination programme (along with Kumbh in Uttarakhand and elections in West Bengal and[Read More…]

by 24/06/2021 Comments are Disabled India
#WorldLocalizationDay: Peasants rise up to demand genuine food-system reforms

#WorldLocalizationDay: Peasants rise up to demand genuine food-system reforms

Food nourishes life. Our farmers produce more than enough food to feed all the people on the planet but due to socially unjust and ecologically unsustainable food systems, many people are forced to go hungry. Moreover farmers who help nurture life, continue to struggle for their livelihoods and human rights. In lead up to 2021 World Localization Day, farmers from[Read More…]

by 16/06/2021 Comments are Disabled Counter Solutions
 Save Lakshadweep: Stop ‘reform’ which is not socially just and ecologically sustainable

 Save Lakshadweep: Stop ‘reform’ which is not socially just and ecologically sustainable

There is a growing call to save Lakshadweep islands from attempts to destroy them socially, culturally and ecologically. One of the key demands is for the government of India to recall the Administrator appointed in Lakshadweep immediately and ensure democratic rights to decision-making are held by the islanders. The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) condemned and opposed the recent[Read More…]

by 05/06/2021 Comments are Disabled India
Why reduce speed limit to 30 km/h? “Answer is blowin’ in the wind”

Why reduce speed limit to 30 km/h? “Answer is blowin’ in the wind”

  Due to the Covid lockdown in 2020, though the number of road traffic accidents declined yet deaths did not decline in the same proportion because people drive at higher speeds which continued to result in fatal accidents. Every year, more than 1.3 million people die in road traffic crashes – that’s one person every 24 seconds. Excessive speed is[Read More…]

by 18/05/2021 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
 Experts demand compulsory licensing for generic production of a drug against Covid-19

 Experts demand compulsory licensing for generic production of a drug against Covid-19

Should not a medicine (Remdesivir) that has shown lifesaving effect in certain cases of Covid-19 be made available to all those who need it without delay? Even if Big Pharma has a patent, there are provisions in the global trade treaties that allow governments to issue compulsory licenses to such a lifesaving drug, and keep people over profit. This is[Read More…]

by 10/04/2021 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
 Land to the tillers for genuine food system change

 Land to the tillers for genuine food system change

The Asian Peasant Coalition (APC)’s observance of 29 March as “Land of the Landless: Land to the Tillers”, reminds us of the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “In reality, the toilers is the owner of what he produces. If the toilers intelligently combine, they will become an irresistible power.” Socialist leader Dr Ram Manohar Lohia had also echoed in the last[Read More…]

by 29/03/2021 Comments are Disabled World
 Instead of reducing maximum speed limit, Thailand increases it to 120 kph

 Instead of reducing maximum speed limit, Thailand increases it to 120 kph

Thailand was among the countries globally that promised last year to reduce the maximum speed limit to 30 kilometre per hour (30 kph) to reduce road traffic crashes, and thus, save lives. More importantly, the government of Thailand played a major role last year as part of the International Advisory Committee to 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety held[Read More…]

by 02/03/2021 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Is policing pandemics different than maintaining law and order?

Is policing pandemics different than maintaining law and order?

Among the first responders in times of emergencies or crises is often expected to be the police. This was no different when Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a grinding halt. The public health emergency arising due to the pandemic, as well as cascading humanitarian crises in several countries and communities, only made the job of the police even more[Read More…]

by 18/02/2021 Comments are Disabled World
 Growing call for federal democracy in Myanmar

 Growing call for federal democracy in Myanmar

Written by Constanze Ruprecht and Bobby Ramakant  Growing number of civil society networks for peace, health and human rights from around the world are unifying their call for federal democracy in Myanmar. In a joint statement condemning the Coup d’état in Burma (after an online South Asia Solidarity Forum for federal democracy in Myanmar), over a hundred of these individuals,[Read More…]

by 14/02/2021 Comments are Disabled South Asia
 Market solutions will make roads unsafe for everyone

 Market solutions will make roads unsafe for everyone

India along with 193 countries had promised to halve deaths and serious injuries on the roads by 2020 (as part of UN Sustainable Development Goals). But we have failed to keep this promise as the year 2020 passed by. In 2015, number of road traffic accident deaths in India were 146,133. In 2019, instead of declining (by half), the number[Read More…]

by 06/02/2021 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Community health work is work

Community health work is work

This year the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) day is different in a way that never before the UHC message was so loud and clear. From first case of coronavirus eleven months ago to nearly 70 million cases worldwide, the pandemic has made us realize how essential is health security for each one of us – and – unless we ensure[Read More…]

by 12/12/2020 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Not symbolism but embodying Mahatma Gandhi in our lives is vital: Medha Patkar

Not symbolism but embodying Mahatma Gandhi in our lives is vital: Medha Patkar

It is high time to move beyond mere tokenism when we commemorate Mahatma Gandhi, and begin truly embodying Gandhian values in all aspects of our lives. This rallying call was given by Medha Patkar, who is among the most respected development justice activists today. She was among the keynote speakers of the ongoing Valedictory Week to mark 150 years of[Read More…]

by 01/10/2020 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Strong unions are pivotal for safety of healthcare workers and patients

Strong unions are pivotal for safety of healthcare workers and patients

 In May 2019, all 194 countries that set the agenda of the World Health Organization met at the 72nd World Health Assembly and endorsed the establishment of World Patient Safety Day to be marked annually on 17 September. But this year’s COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled the huge challenges and risks healthcare workers are facing globally including hospital-borne infections, violence, stigma,[Read More…]

by 17/09/2020 Comments are Disabled World
For a better world, our lifestyle must be based on as less resources as possible

For a better world, our lifestyle must be based on as less resources as possible

Senior activist Medha Patkar launched a youth led, Towards A Better World campaign, in an online session where several youth leaders of Fridays For Future (a global movement led by Greta Thunberg) and other youth activists took part. We must change our life, lifestyle and sources of livelihood for a sustainable and just development, said Medha Patkar. “People should commit[Read More…]

by 24/07/2020 Comments are Disabled Counter Solutions
COVID-19 and the Need for the Immediate Nationalisation of the Indian Healthcare Sector 

COVID-19 and the Need for the Immediate Nationalisation of the Indian Healthcare Sector 

Co-Written by Asmita Verma, Surabhi Agarwal and Bobby Ramakant The Epidemics Act, 1897 gives the central and state governments authority to impose any regulations which may be necessary to contain the outbreak of a disease. Some state governments such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhatisgarh have already used this power to bring private healthcare facilities in their state under government[Read More…]

by 22/05/2020 Comments are Disabled India
Speed is not enough, accelerating progress is key to end TB: new WHO report

Speed is not enough, accelerating progress is key to end TB: new WHO report

  Global fight against tuberculosis (TB) is making modest gains, although largely not yet on track to end TB. 2019 Global TB Report of the World Health Organization (WHO) launched on 17 October 2019 gives hope, not despair, because sustained efforts have yielded some significant results. Only European region is on track to meet 2020 targets of 20% reduction in[Read More…]

by 18/10/2019 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
 Corporations that abuse human rights are a threat to SDGs and our planet

 Corporations that abuse human rights are a threat to SDGs and our planet

One of the major processes at the United Nations (UN) that gives hope for a better tomorrow where “no one is left behind” is the UN binding treaty on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights. History is marred with examples how transnational trade and businesses kept profit over people. Domestic laws and legal frameworks failed[Read More…]

by 17/10/2019 Comments are Disabled World
Reject false solutions to climate crisis: Manila initiative on rights of climate migrants gives hope

Reject false solutions to climate crisis: Manila initiative on rights of climate migrants gives hope

The writing is on the wall: rich countries, whose wealth and progress is at the cost of resource exploitation of conquered nations and the unabated combustion of fossil fuels for energy, must bear the onus of climate action. However, commitments from these governments have been lacking owing to a refusal to acknowledge their moral responsibilities and ecological debt, as well[Read More…]

by 24/09/2019 1 comment Climate Change
TB is preventable & curable: Zero new infection & zero deaths must become a reality

TB is preventable & curable: Zero new infection & zero deaths must become a reality

TB is preventable, treatable and curable. Science shows how can we effectively prevent, accurately diagnose, treat with effective regimen, and eventually cure TB. But are not we failing to translate scientific wisdom in public health gains? How can we explain over 10 million new cases of TB and 1.6 million TB deaths (including 300,000 TB deaths among people living with[Read More…]

by 05/08/2019 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Preventing TB is rooted in medical ethics and human rights

Preventing TB is rooted in medical ethics and human rights

With quarter of world’s population infected with latent TB (not active TB disease), and in the light of scientific fact that every new case of active TB disease comes from this pool of population infected with latent TB, the writing on the wall is clear: we cannot put TB prevention on the blindspot anymore if we are to eliminate TB[Read More…]

by 03/08/2019 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Is Universal Health Coverage an opportunity to end AIDS and TB?

Is Universal Health Coverage an opportunity to end AIDS and TB?

At the United Nations General Assembly in September 2019, a special United Nations High Level Meeting (UNHLM) will be held on Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 193 countries have promised to deliver on UHC by 2030 by committing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But will push on UHC alone deliver on the promise of health for all where ‘no one is[Read More…]

by 31/07/2019 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Preventing TB is a critical cog in the wheel to #endTB and #endAIDS

Preventing TB is a critical cog in the wheel to #endTB and #endAIDS

Every case of active tuberculosis (TB) disease comes from an individual with latent TB infection. And every new case of latent TB infection is a sign of failing infection control, as someone with active TB disease transmitted the bacteria to an uninfected person. Quarter of world’s population has latent TB. TB continues to be the most common opportunistic infection among[Read More…]

by 22/07/2019 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Why I did not renew my driving license?

Why I did not renew my driving license?

Because I realized (better late than never) that it is government’s responsibility to provide safe, convenient, affordable, accessible and humane ways of commuting for all its citizens. When governments fail on its duty then it hides behind the market forces, and co-opts itself in corporate agenda, enticing citizens to own, borrow, rent and use private vehicles to commute. Forcing people[Read More…]

by 02/07/2019 1 comment Life/Philosophy
Innovative MACH gives hope for multi-disciplinary global health response

Innovative MACH gives hope for multi-disciplinary global health response

Although 193 governments adopted UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which warrant an integrated and multisectoral response to deliver on those promises, the progress has been lackadaisical in the past four years. A recent UN report has set an alarm on uneven progress on some SDGs and slipping on a few of the Global Goals in Asia Pacific region. Coordinated multisectoral[Read More…]

by 20/06/2019 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Are we on track to #endmalaria?

Are we on track to #endmalaria?

This year’s World Malaria Day theme, “Zero Malaria Starts With Me” re-energizes the fight to eliminate malaria which, despite being preventable and treatable, still kills over half a million people every year. While incredible progress has been made in the past 15 years (with over 7 million malaria deaths averted and about 40% reduction in malaria globally), the fight against[Read More…]

by 23/04/2019 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Healing is different from cure, conveys Pirates Of Chemotherapy

Healing is different from cure, conveys Pirates Of Chemotherapy

When we first heard of a dramatic comedy theatre play on breast cancer, it was difficult to comprehend how will the three go together? Comedy, theatre and poignant theme of breast cancer! Glad we went for the preview show of this play because it did justice to comedy, theatre and breast cancer issue in a very compelling way. One of[Read More…]

by 19/02/2019 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
Business as usual will fail us on cancer control, SDGs

Business as usual will fail us on cancer control, SDGs

193 governments including those of India, committed to reducing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancers by 25% by 2025 and one-third by 2030 (UN Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs), but many cancer rates are rising, not declining, especially in several high burden countries. Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally (cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the top[Read More…]

by 04/02/2019 1 comment Life/Philosophy
It’s Time: Match words with actions to #endTB

It’s Time: Match words with actions to #endTB

Alongside boosting research and development of new tools to prevent, diagnose and treat TB, there is an acute need to optimally deploy and maximally utilize existing tools for preventing, diagnosing and treating TB, says Dr Nguyen Viet Nhung, head of national TB programme in Vietnam and Director of National Lung Hospital, Hanoi. Dr Nhung was conferred upon the ‘Honorary Associate[Read More…]

by 17/12/2018 1 comment Life/Philosophy
Tobacco Endgame Is Critical ‘Cog In The Wheel’ For Sustainable Development

Tobacco Endgame Is Critical ‘Cog In The Wheel’ For Sustainable Development

Although governments have promised sustainable development by 2030 by adopting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but tobacco triggered pandemics threaten to stall or even reverse the progress made. Tobacco is a major risk factor of killer non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardio-vascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, among others. In addition to devastating health, tobacco is also linked to poverty,[Read More…]

by 01/06/2017 1 comment Life/Philosophy
Connecting ‘Silos’: Interdependence Is Key To #EndTB in Sustainable Development Era

Connecting ‘Silos’: Interdependence Is Key To #EndTB in Sustainable Development Era

  (CNS): When major weak-spots go beyond the purview of health ministry, inter-sectoral programming becomes critical to progress towards ending tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, globally. Indian government has committed to end TB by 2025 – a welcome political commitment indeed – but warrants urgent and unprecedented actions to muscle up the required pace to keep this promise. As our governments[Read More…]

by 22/05/2017 1 comment Life/Philosophy
Inter-Sectoral And Well-Coordinated Battle To #endTB Is Imperative To Deliver On Agenda 2030

Inter-Sectoral And Well-Coordinated Battle To #endTB Is Imperative To Deliver On Agenda 2030

(CNS): Growing political commitment of governments globally to #endTB is indeed welcoming but governments need to walk the talk too to #endTB and deliver on promises of integrated sustainable development by 2030. Reality check on any specific indicator to show progress made towards ending TB will raise serious concerns regarding meeting these commitments in a timely manner. For example, TB[Read More…]

by 06/04/2017 1 comment Life/Philosophy
Right To Road Must First Go To Pedestrians, Non-Motorised Vehicles

Right To Road Must First Go To Pedestrians, Non-Motorised Vehicles

  (CNS): “It did not strike me even for a second how fatal it could be for my child to ride a two-wheeler as a pillion rider – without a helmet. If I was conscious about the risk then I would have definitely given a helmet to my child” said the mother of a child who died in an unfortunate[Read More…]

by 09/07/2016 1 comment Life/Philosophy