Author: rjoshimgims

Women’s health, cancer screening and Papanicolaou

Index Home Healthcare suffers from male dominance. At the beginning of 20th century, most doctors were men. Maternal care, commonest women’s health concern, was more of a tradition rather than part of a profession. Midwives and later nurses were flag bearers of health issues affecting women. In this context, it is no surprise that in comparison… Continue reading Women’s health, cancer screening and Papanicolaou

Vienna: The rise & fall of a medical university

Index Home Till early 1900s, Vienna was a leading centre for medical education. Ranked after Paris, and Berlin Medical University of Vienna had brought many innovations. University was so prestigious, that American Medical Association had a branch in Vienna. University provided training even for US doctors, who then moved back to their own country to set… Continue reading Vienna: The rise & fall of a medical university

Conflict, peace and health

Index Home Conflict affects health (and vice-versa) Conflicts disrupt health systems. They not only overwhelm health-facilities with wounds and injuries, they also disrupt supply chain of medical supplies. Further, health-care workers, who now fear for their lives, themselves migrate or are unable to report for work. Thus, peace is first requisite for an effective health system.… Continue reading Conflict, peace and health

World Health Organization: Philately @75

Birthday commemorations for WHO After the end of the second world war, victorious nations agreed to form an organisation, that could prevent a third-world war. When the ward ended in 1945, these countries formed United Nations. This was a beginning of global cooperation at an unprecedented scale As nations started their deliberations, there also was… Continue reading World Health Organization: Philately @75

A Toast at birth, but stranded at fifty-five

Index Home This is not a blog about mid-life crisis. Neither is it about a disease. Rather, it is about a modern structure. Nations anticipated its birth for seven long years. Its parent architect died, before a single brick could be laid. Despite these odds, it was beautiful when completed. Nations rejoiced at its birth. As… Continue reading A Toast at birth, but stranded at fifty-five

International philanthropies in health: How were they named?

Index Home Earliest faith based charities Philanthropy is often related to religion. Before 1900s church was a base for most international charities. These derived their name from a saint. For instance, St John of God who worked for the ill lived between 1495 and 1550. In his name his followers set-up an order of brothers of… Continue reading International philanthropies in health: How were they named?

Story behind world’s first international health organisation

It was 1870. A mysterious disease had struck Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay. Men and women would develop fever, muscle pains, yellow eyes, and would die as their liver would fail. This was yellow fever. In a few years, it was seen all over south and Central America. About a decade later, in 1881, a… Continue reading Story behind world’s first international health organisation

Global recognition of Child rights

Index Home Child rights are less than a 100 years old Children have rights, and today all countries recognise them. Firstly, all children have a right to education. All governments provide for free and publicly funded school systems. Secondly, children have a right to health. Most states, international agencies, and local charities focus on maternal… Continue reading Global recognition of Child rights

Mission immunisation and polio eradication

Home Index Today polio stands eliminated from all but two countries in the world. India was declared to have eliminated polio in the year 2014. Ten years later about 65 odd cases are still reported annually from Pakistan and Afghanistan. 24th October is world polio day, and we still await its global eradication. Origins of poliomyelitis… Continue reading Mission immunisation and polio eradication