Rajib Dasgupta

For public-health reform, fix urban governanceSign In to read

March 23,2026 06:30:04 AM

Urban public health crises are often framed narrowly in terms of hospital shortages and workforce gaps. Less visible, but arguably more consequential, are failures in everyday urban systems.

Obesity calls for a wider and more complex debateSubscriber Only

January 26,2026 07:39:11 AM

Critics of the medicalisation of obesity argue that a large spectrum of ‘naturally occurring bodily diversity’ is today being pathologised

Why the ‘don’t misuse antibiotics’ campaign doesn’t workSubscriber Only

November 25,2025 18:02:44 PM

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is often described as one of the defining health threats of our time. But communication around the issue is oversimplified, does not serve the diverse communities afflicted with the issue

ORS-like drinks pose real health risks. India needs dialogue and consensus on their saleSubscriber Only

November 10,2025 12:58:22 PM

The dangers of high sugar content in these fluids, as well as administering non-WHO formulations, are real, particularly for young children. The FSSAI and the courts have rightly flagged this as a public health risk

On the cough syrup row, we need to zoom out — and look at commercial driversSubscriber Only

October 13,2025 16:41:59 PM

Medicine manufacturers in other countries have also been incriminated for similar adverse events. Three hundred and twenty-three cases of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and 190 deaths were reported in Indonesia as recently as 2023, and six pharmaceutical companies were prosecuted for negligence.

Non-smokers can get lung cancer as well — that’s the most important message of a recent studySubscriber Only

August 08,2025 13:03:13 PM

It puts the focus on curbing air pollution and using newly-developed AI tools to screen the disease

Heat health risks need to be understood as a slow, protracted disasterSubscriber Only

July 03,2025 15:50:10 PM

Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths and can aggravate underlying morbidities

There is no need to panic over the new variants of Covid. But don’t dismiss it as a seasonal fluSubscriber Only

May 28,2025 15:45:27 PM

The emergence and spread of the “stealth” variants are being watched closely; while surveillance and care systems are in place, we should still exercise caution

Can WHO’s Pandemic Agreement launch a new era of global health cooperation?Subscriber Only

May 22,2025 12:11:03 PM

There are key challenges ahead, including the successful adoption of a One Health approach

India banning use of specific antibiotics in production of meat, poultry and milk products is a welcome moveSubscriber Only

April 28,2025 14:27:39 PM

Antimicrobial growth promoters have been in use for seven decades now; complex cultural, political, and economic drivers of the livestock industry need to be addressed

UN recognition of antibiotic abuse offers India an opportunitySubscriber Only

October 23,2024 03:30:20 AM

The National One Health Mission, a cross-ministerial effort, has mapped existing surveillance programmes and laboratory capabilities and aims to plug gaps. The UN mandate is an opportunity to refine and reshape India’s AMR activities

Who dies in a heat wave? High temperatures don’t affect everyone equallySubscriber Only

June 21,2024 15:03:42 PM

In theory, heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable, albeit with specific policies and interventions. The individuals who died in Noida included a ragpicker, a manual labourer and a security guard — and they were migrants

Side effects of AstraZeneca vaccine: Medicine is clear now to the courtsSubscriber Only

May 03,2024 17:28:05 PM

Benefits of Covid vaccines far outweigh risks. Pandemic has created ethical dilemmas. The way court's resolve them could impact people's perception of vaccines

In a heatwave, how do we protect our most vulnerable?Subscriber Only

April 11,2024 07:05:40 AM

In theory, all or most heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable while in practice, gauging the public health impact of extreme temperatures is difficult

Cancer, heart disease, diabetes – odd-even scheme is not the answer to pollution woesSubscriber Only

November 06,2023 16:49:53 PM

Air pollution plays a key role in the genesis of chronic diseases and cancer. And it affects poorer people and countries more

Indians struggle with high blood pressure. And it’s not about lifestyleSubscriber Only

October 12,2023 07:30:24 AM

Structural inequalities play a greater role in high incidence of hypertension

Indians struggle with high blood pressure. And it’s not about lifestyleSubscriber Only

October 12,2023 07:14:47 AM

Structural inequalities play a role in high incidence of hypertension.

Zafrullah Chowdhury, people’s doctor and war hero, pioneered a public health revolution in BangladeshSubscriber Only

April 19,2023 18:47:50 PM

Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury passed away on April 11, 2023 , aged 81, due to Covid complications

As Covid and H3N2 flu cases rise, here’s how India can help build global resilienceSubscriber Only

March 21,2023 12:06:11 PM

As the G20 President, India can represent the concerns of the Global South and help make the international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response more equitable

Covid again: As G20 chair, India must lead the fight against virus resurgenceSubscriber Only

December 22,2022 12:00:00 PM

This could be New Delhi's moment to demonstrate both effective responses as well as establish greater collaboration among member states through a coordinated and shared response framework

Dilip Mahalanabis: The ORS pioneer who helped save millions of livesSubscriber Only

October 18,2022 18:00:54 PM

Rajib Dasgupta writes: In 1978, a Lancet editorial termed it the most important medical advance in this century

New WHO report on assistive technology for disabled provides a roadmap for IndiaSubscriber Only

June 06,2022 03:58:43 AM

Rajib Dasgupta, Shweta Sharma, Balram Bhargava write: The health system’s responsibility in providing equitable access to assistive technology, just as for essential medicines and vaccines, is increasingly being recognised.

Dealing with Covid beyond the pandemicSubscriber Only

February 22,2022 04:50:54 AM

Rajib Dasgupta writes: Public health systems and policymaking should focus on dealing with the disease in its less virulent form and addressing the scars it has inflicted in the past two years.

What schools need to do during pandemicSubscriber Only

December 08,2021 04:15:51 AM

Rajib Dasgupta, N K Arora write: School life during and after the Covid-19 pandemic is not going to be the same.

The long, hard road of immunisationSubscriber Only

March 10,2021 03:00:34 AM

Vaccine equity, smooth user experience, understanding prevailing motives and behaviours and bridging the digital divide are all vital in India’s fight against COVID-19.