Category: Public health

Culture & Life · History · History of Medicine · Public health

The “oppressive” history of family planning and population control in India

kirankumbharLeave a comment

I wrote this for Swaddle on July 8 2018. Here is the original article. I based it primarily on the book ‘Reproductive Restraints: Birth Control in India, 1877-1947’ by historian Sanjam Ahluwalia of Northern Arizona University Below are some excerpts: Birth control began in India not as a free choice by individuals to manage their fertility, but as… Continue reading The “oppressive” history of family planning and population control in India

Culture & Life · Public health

Navigating gender equality and public health when it comes to smoking

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I am reproducing here an answer I wrote on Quora to the question “What’s your message to girls who equate smoking and drinking with women empowerment?” The original answer can be found here. [I don’t have any ‘message’ to anyone. I am writing here mainly to relay some of my thoughts on these issues and… Continue reading Navigating gender equality and public health when it comes to smoking

History of Medicine · Medicine & Doctors · Public health

Inviting doctors and patients to share experiences and thoughts

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A project on the history of the patient-doctor relationship in contemporary India: My name is Kiran Kumbhar. I am an MBBS graduate from BJ Govt Medical College, Pune (2010), and have previously worked in Pune, Ratnagiri, Mumbai, and Delhi as medical officer and non-PG resident doctor. Currently I am a PhD student at Harvard University,… Continue reading Inviting doctors and patients to share experiences and thoughts

History of Medicine · Medicine & Doctors · Public health

Understanding healthcare and medicine in India – by going above and beyond conventional sources

kirankumbharLeave a comment

I am a medical doctor currently studying the history of medicine and medical anthropology (PhD). After graduating (MBBS) in 2010, I worked as medical officer and resident doctor in some hospitals, both government and corporate, for four years, and then worked as a research assistant at the Public Health Foundation of India for a few months… Continue reading Understanding healthcare and medicine in India – by going above and beyond conventional sources

Medicine & Doctors · Politics · Public health

Why Indians need to abandon the ‘Gujarat model’ style of thinking

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Recently the Maharashtra state govt hiked the user charges and fees in government hospitals. In a country where more than 60 million persons are pushed below the poverty line because of healthcare expenses and many millions more have to take huge loans, government hospitals raising their fees – while at the same time government employees… Continue reading Why Indians need to abandon the ‘Gujarat model’ style of thinking