Author: rjoshimgims

Our governing molecules, from concept to a structure

Index Home A child is a mix of two parents. Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) questioned this belief, and in 1865 he demonstrated that expressed traits are not a mix. Instead, traits are either “dominant” or “recessive”. An inherited dominant trait is invariably expressed. On the other hand, a recessive trait is expressed only when the dominant one… Continue reading Our governing molecules, from concept to a structure

Intensive care: borne out of an epidemic

Index Home Today almost all large hospitals have an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Purpose of this facility is to provide care for the severely ill patients, who often require heroic measures to salvage their failing organs. Today Intensive care is complex, demanding, and relies a lot on a variety of gadgets such as mechanical ventilators, invasive… Continue reading Intensive care: borne out of an epidemic

Medical innovations in British stamps

Index Home Postage stamp was a British innovation. First introduced on 6th May 1840, it was a beginning for pre-paid postage, we still follow world-wide. Since then British postage stamps have a unique tradition. Only human figure on these postage stamps is either the monarch, or members of the royal family. British post (or Royal Mail)… Continue reading Medical innovations in British stamps

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?