Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Public health ignored

This refers to the article, "The health of nations: seeking a way forward" (Jan. 4). It was astonishing to read that people in India spend more than Rs.100,000 crore on medical expenses out of their own earnings at a time when lack of medical care is the second most common cause for rural family debt resulting in many suicides. The author has rightly lamented the apathy shown towards public health care by the Government and corporates.
A. Faizur Rahman,
Chennai

Given that the trend of "medical tourism" is fast catching on and that our Government and media are encouraging privatisation of health care, the question that arises is: which country will the poor Indian go to for his or her health care needs?

C.G. Senthilkumar,
Davis, California

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