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In an interview with me, eminent health expert Dr. Amitav Banerjee has examined the impact of privatization on the healthcare sector, the implications of the World Health Organization (WHO) becoming a commercially driven entity, and the consequences of a pharmaceutical industry prioritizing profit over public health. He argues that an approach ignoring the importance of natural immunity fosters a drug-centric system that undermines the benefits of modern medicine.
Dr. Banerjee, currently a Professor Emeritus at DY Patil Medical College in Pune, previously served as an epidemiologist in the armed forces for two decades. He is recognized as one of the world’s top 2% scientists by Stanford University and the author of "Covid-19 Pandemic: A Third Eye".
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With your extensive experience in community medicine, what do you see as the major challenges facing India’s public health system?
This is a crucial yet complex question. Even before independence, India’s public health system was severely inadequate. The colonial administration suppressed traditional Indian healing practices while promoting modern medicine. The British government had formed the Joseph Bhore Committee to recommend progressive health policies, advocating for equitable healthcare. However, even by the 1960s, India had just one doctor per 100,000 people, and hospital beds remained scarce.
The Bhore Committee’s recommendations were never fully implemented, leaving district hospitals understaffed and maternal and infant mortality rates high. Even today, around 60% of India’s population resides in rural areas, yet 80% of healthcare infrastructure is concentrated in cities. The public health budget remains limited, and since the liberalization policies, the private sector has gained significant control. Private medical colleges now constitute about 50% of total institutions, while government spending remains focused on large urban hospitals, neglecting basic healthcare for common illnesses.
As a result, ordinary citizens bear a heavy financial burden for medical treatment. Insurance schemes such as Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY primarily benefit urban corporate hospitals. Moreover, health research, even within government institutions like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is heavily influenced by private investments, particularly from organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
How has WHO’s role evolved in the era of privatization, and how does the Pandemic Treaty impact national sovereignty?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, WHO exercised authority beyond its mandate, influencing lockdowns, restrictions, and even vaccine mandates. Health policy should be the prerogative of individual nations, yet WHO’s recent actions undermine this principle.
Rather than conducting an audit of pandemic policies to assess what worked and what failed, WHO has instead introduced a global agreement on communicable diseases. Last year, it also proposed 300 amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005), transforming its guidelines into binding obligations for member states. This effectively grants WHO legal authority over national healthcare decisions.
One reason for this shift is that, for over three decades, WHO’s primary funding has come from private organizations, particularly the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This financial dependence raises concerns about the neutrality of WHO’s policies and their alignment with corporate interests rather than public welfare.
What is India’s stance on the WHO’s Pandemic Treaty?
India is not actively negotiating this treaty, and the issue has seen little discussion in Parliament. Only one MP, Anil Prasad Hegde, raised it in the Rajya Sabha last year, and since then, there has been silence on the matter. The media has also largely ignored it.
India is likely to sign the treaty, given its reliance on global health funding. Additionally, major vaccine manufacturers like Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech have financial ties to the Gates Foundation. With pharmaceutical companies reportedly contributing to political parties through electoral bonds, policy decisions are increasingly influenced by corporate interests rather than independent, decentralized governance.
Does the government’s support for corporate healthcare reflect broader capitalist economic policies?
Fear-driven narratives about new viruses serve the interests of pharmaceutical companies. Previously, large-scale financial transactions were common in the arms trade; today, the healthcare industry has taken over that role. Corporations have realized that exploiting public health concerns, particularly among the middle class, is even more profitable than the arms trade.
The media, medical journals, bureaucrats, and policymakers play a crucial role in perpetuating this cycle. By instilling fear, corporations ensure continued reliance on medical interventions, boosting profits at the expense of holistic health approaches.
How does the neglect of natural immunity impact public health?
When a virus enters the body, the immune system learns to recognize and combat it over 10–15 days. This natural exposure results in long-term immunity, often lasting two years or more. Vaccination, on the other hand, provides only partial knowledge of the virus, as it does not expose the body to the entire pathogen.
Lockdowns, as implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, were counterproductive. Restricting people indoors deprived them of sunlight, leading to vitamin D deficiency and increased vulnerability to infections. Policies should focus on strengthening natural immunity rather than excessive reliance on pharmaceuticals.
Why are social determinants of health overlooked in modern medicine?
Factors such as clean air, safe drinking water, nutritious food, and social security are essential for public health. Social interactions—such as handshakes and hugs—also play a crucial role in maintaining well-being by triggering beneficial biochemical responses in the body.
However, the Covid-19 lockdowns disregarded these factors, increasing mental health issues and exacerbating disease transmission in cramped households. The focus should be on holistic well-being rather than imposing restrictive measures that disrupt social and economic stability.
What challenges do traditional Indian healing systems face today?
Modern medicine has achieved remarkable progress, especially in antibiotics and surgical techniques. However, many ailments can be effectively managed through lifestyle changes and alternative treatments. Unfortunately, the commercialization of medicine has led to the marginalization of traditional practices like Ayurveda and Homeopathy.
More scientific research should be conducted in these fields using modern tools. However, some practitioners resist further investigation, believing that ancient texts provide all necessary knowledge. An evidence-based approach can bridge the gap between traditional and modern medicine, ensuring safer and more effective treatments.
Should modern and traditional medicine be integrated?
Science is an evolving process, and medicine should not be rigidly confined to a single methodology. The human body is complex, and different individuals may respond differently to the same treatment. An integrated approach, grounded in empirical observations, can provide more effective healthcare solutions.
While modern medicine excels in emergency interventions, chronic illnesses often respond better to lifestyle modifications and holistic treatments. Instead of excessive reliance on pharmaceuticals, a balanced approach—combining modern advancements with traditional wisdom—should be the goal.
How do you assess the role of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in public health?
The IMA is not an open or transparent organization. It is largely influenced by pharmaceutical companies and remains dismissive of alternative medical practices. While other countries, like China and Thailand, integrate traditional medicine into medical curricula, India continues to resist such an approach.
Healthcare should prioritize patient well-being over corporate interests. By embracing evidence-based integration of various healing traditions, we can create a more effective and holistic healthcare system for the future.
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A K Shiburaj is an independent journalist based in Kerala
With your extensive experience in community medicine, what do you see as the major challenges facing India’s public health system?
This is a crucial yet complex question. Even before independence, India’s public health system was severely inadequate. The colonial administration suppressed traditional Indian healing practices while promoting modern medicine. The British government had formed the Joseph Bhore Committee to recommend progressive health policies, advocating for equitable healthcare. However, even by the 1960s, India had just one doctor per 100,000 people, and hospital beds remained scarce.
The Bhore Committee’s recommendations were never fully implemented, leaving district hospitals understaffed and maternal and infant mortality rates high. Even today, around 60% of India’s population resides in rural areas, yet 80% of healthcare infrastructure is concentrated in cities. The public health budget remains limited, and since the liberalization policies, the private sector has gained significant control. Private medical colleges now constitute about 50% of total institutions, while government spending remains focused on large urban hospitals, neglecting basic healthcare for common illnesses.
As a result, ordinary citizens bear a heavy financial burden for medical treatment. Insurance schemes such as Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY primarily benefit urban corporate hospitals. Moreover, health research, even within government institutions like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is heavily influenced by private investments, particularly from organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
How has WHO’s role evolved in the era of privatization, and how does the Pandemic Treaty impact national sovereignty?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, WHO exercised authority beyond its mandate, influencing lockdowns, restrictions, and even vaccine mandates. Health policy should be the prerogative of individual nations, yet WHO’s recent actions undermine this principle.
Rather than conducting an audit of pandemic policies to assess what worked and what failed, WHO has instead introduced a global agreement on communicable diseases. Last year, it also proposed 300 amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005), transforming its guidelines into binding obligations for member states. This effectively grants WHO legal authority over national healthcare decisions.
One reason for this shift is that, for over three decades, WHO’s primary funding has come from private organizations, particularly the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This financial dependence raises concerns about the neutrality of WHO’s policies and their alignment with corporate interests rather than public welfare.
What is India’s stance on the WHO’s Pandemic Treaty?
India is not actively negotiating this treaty, and the issue has seen little discussion in Parliament. Only one MP, Anil Prasad Hegde, raised it in the Rajya Sabha last year, and since then, there has been silence on the matter. The media has also largely ignored it.
India is likely to sign the treaty, given its reliance on global health funding. Additionally, major vaccine manufacturers like Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech have financial ties to the Gates Foundation. With pharmaceutical companies reportedly contributing to political parties through electoral bonds, policy decisions are increasingly influenced by corporate interests rather than independent, decentralized governance.
Does the government’s support for corporate healthcare reflect broader capitalist economic policies?
Fear-driven narratives about new viruses serve the interests of pharmaceutical companies. Previously, large-scale financial transactions were common in the arms trade; today, the healthcare industry has taken over that role. Corporations have realized that exploiting public health concerns, particularly among the middle class, is even more profitable than the arms trade.
The media, medical journals, bureaucrats, and policymakers play a crucial role in perpetuating this cycle. By instilling fear, corporations ensure continued reliance on medical interventions, boosting profits at the expense of holistic health approaches.
How does the neglect of natural immunity impact public health?
When a virus enters the body, the immune system learns to recognize and combat it over 10–15 days. This natural exposure results in long-term immunity, often lasting two years or more. Vaccination, on the other hand, provides only partial knowledge of the virus, as it does not expose the body to the entire pathogen.
Lockdowns, as implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, were counterproductive. Restricting people indoors deprived them of sunlight, leading to vitamin D deficiency and increased vulnerability to infections. Policies should focus on strengthening natural immunity rather than excessive reliance on pharmaceuticals.
Why are social determinants of health overlooked in modern medicine?
Factors such as clean air, safe drinking water, nutritious food, and social security are essential for public health. Social interactions—such as handshakes and hugs—also play a crucial role in maintaining well-being by triggering beneficial biochemical responses in the body.
However, the Covid-19 lockdowns disregarded these factors, increasing mental health issues and exacerbating disease transmission in cramped households. The focus should be on holistic well-being rather than imposing restrictive measures that disrupt social and economic stability.
What challenges do traditional Indian healing systems face today?
Modern medicine has achieved remarkable progress, especially in antibiotics and surgical techniques. However, many ailments can be effectively managed through lifestyle changes and alternative treatments. Unfortunately, the commercialization of medicine has led to the marginalization of traditional practices like Ayurveda and Homeopathy.
More scientific research should be conducted in these fields using modern tools. However, some practitioners resist further investigation, believing that ancient texts provide all necessary knowledge. An evidence-based approach can bridge the gap between traditional and modern medicine, ensuring safer and more effective treatments.
Should modern and traditional medicine be integrated?
Science is an evolving process, and medicine should not be rigidly confined to a single methodology. The human body is complex, and different individuals may respond differently to the same treatment. An integrated approach, grounded in empirical observations, can provide more effective healthcare solutions.
While modern medicine excels in emergency interventions, chronic illnesses often respond better to lifestyle modifications and holistic treatments. Instead of excessive reliance on pharmaceuticals, a balanced approach—combining modern advancements with traditional wisdom—should be the goal.
How do you assess the role of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in public health?
The IMA is not an open or transparent organization. It is largely influenced by pharmaceutical companies and remains dismissive of alternative medical practices. While other countries, like China and Thailand, integrate traditional medicine into medical curricula, India continues to resist such an approach.
Healthcare should prioritize patient well-being over corporate interests. By embracing evidence-based integration of various healing traditions, we can create a more effective and holistic healthcare system for the future.
---
A K Shiburaj is an independent journalist based in Kerala
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