India Health Quarterly

IHQ - Issue 01

With one of the world’s largest populations, the growing global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is of particular interest to India -- and is the focus of this inaugural issue of India Health Quarterly (IHQ).  The economic and social impacts of NCDs in India will be examined along with examples of promising partnership models.

Novartis India’s Arogya Parivar Reaches 42 Million

Travelling by moped, Sunita Bhalerao is a familiar and welcome sight to the impoverished villagers who live near Nashik in Maharashtra. For the men, women, and children she sees along her daily routes, spreading the vital messages of health awareness and prevention and dispensing medicines and words of concern, Sunita is the face of Novartis India's Arogya Parivar rural healthcare initiative. Read more »

Sanofi-aventis’ SITE Uncovers India’s Silent Killers

As India’s place in the world economy grows, raising the standard of living of its citizens and astounding economists, political leaders, and the public around the globe, its people have as rapidly moved into the crosshairs of two of the most lethal diseases of affluence:  diabetes and hypertension. Read more »

Consumer's Right to Quality Healthcare

'Consumers by definition include us all,' Kennedy said in his Congressional Statement, 'They are the largest economic group, affecting and affected by almost every public and private economic decision. Yet they are the only important group... whose views are often not heard.'  This statement is most appropriate in the context of healthcare delivery system in India. Unfortunately the consumers are rarely consulted on policies concerning healthcare and are also not involved in the delivery system. Read more »

Rotary’s Medical Camps Treat and Engage India’s Poor

Aarogya Mahasjvir.  To Westerners, the phrase may look like a simple mishmash of letters. But to impoverished Indians it symbolizes a lifeline - a path to health care and wellness advice for those who are outside the Indian medical establishment. Read more »

Non-Communicable Chronic Disease: The Battle Comes to India

Globally, non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCD) are proliferating at an alarming pace in both the developed and developing world.  The growing number of reported instances of heart and kidney diseases, diabetes, obesity and other preventable and treatable NCCDs are severely taxing already hard-pressed global health care resources and health care delivery systems. Read more »

The Growing Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases – Roundtable 2010

With liberalization of the Indian economy and the advent of globalization, NCDs (non-communicable diseases) have been rising rapidly among the Indian populace.  Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung diseases are some of the major ailments that now afflict Indians from all regions.  According to a 2004 report, NCD deaths in India were twice those of communicable disease. Read more »

Foreword: The economic impact of NCDs must not be underestimated

Tackling the growing economic and social burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has become a global priority for government, NGOs, industry and patients – and is the focus of this inaugural edition of India Health Quarterly. Read more »