Governments have faced difficult decisions over the past months, but the decision to remove unnecessary barriers to accessing COVID-19 health technologies like vaccines, diagnostics and treatments should be an obvious one. This decision is currently under debate among member states of the World Trade Organization, who are considering a proposal to waive global intellectual property […]
Latest articles
An effective national response to COVID-19: what not to learn from Sweden
“The measures enjoined were far from Draconian and one had the feeling that many concessions had been made in a desire not to alarm the public” (The Plague, Albert Camus, 1947) Why is it that Sweden, which was first to introduce mandatory use of seatbelts in cars, seems to be the last country […]
Two cases of SARS: Fighting police brutality and COVID-19 in Nigeria
Over the last three weeks, young people have taken to the streets across the country, in the middle of a pandemic, to protest against police brutality in Nigeria. In some instances, the peaceful protestors have been met with more violence and to one of the darkest days in modern history in Nigeria now infamously […]
Abe’s legacy – Japan’s contribution to global health
Japan’s longest post-war administration led by Shinzo Abe came to an abrupt end on September 2020. This was on account of Abe’s health problems but in totality marks a period of seven years and eight months. The merits and demerits of Abe’s regime are being examined from diverse perspectives. However, one aspect is clear, […]
Caught between the virus and poverty: Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on indigenous communities in India
“Are we not human? Don’t we have flesh and blood? We have been toiling in the field, which is why you have enough to feed yourself and your family. Don’t forget that.” shouted Nanchiamma and stood silently for a while under the shadow of the bus waiting-shed. She started again, “My son was sweating […]
Wheels of the bus go round and round: racism in women’s health organizations
First it was the claims of Women Deliver being a White Faux Feminism agency, now it’s the International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC). Recently, the President of IWHC resigned after a report found a work culture of fear and intimidation experienced by junior staff and people of colour. October is the month dedicated to mental […]
Public health should better recognise local and contextual research
What is our objective when we conduct research in public health? We conduct public health research to reduce disease and injury incidence. We conduct public health research to have a real impact on people on the ground and save lives. Our field is full of passionate, talented researchers who have dedicated their lives to […]
Caste, graded patriarchies, gender hierarchies and sexual violence in India
Perhaps one of the most distressing aspects of the pandemic has been denied dignity in death. On 30th September, in a place called Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, India, a 19-year-old girl was denied dignity in death. No, she didn’t suffer from COVID-19, she was victim of an endemic – caste and gender-based violence. Every day, […]
Science, society & politics: being future ready
In the last nine months, COVID-19 has proved to be unlike any other outbreak the world has seen in the past century. Its impact is beyond health and is expected to last years – if not more. We saw first-hand how ill-prepared we were to deal with the pandemic. Even countries like USA and […]
Keeping equitable childhood cancer care on the global health agenda
September is the month for childhood cancer awareness, a time to shine the light on a disease which is often not part of the global health discourse. There are approximately 300,000 new cases of childhood cancers diagnosed each year globally. Despite relatively high cure rates for some cancers when detected early, survival rates remain […]