The editorial “Bonfire of vanities” (March 7) is timely. It is hoped that Rajat Gupta will eventually resign as head of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI). India’s public health challenges can be better addressed if PHFI identifies itself with the community in villages, tribal hamlet and slums. So, the PHFI’s governing board may consider choosing the new chairperson from a public health background.
The PHFI and the Indian Institutes of Public Health (IIPHs) must fulfil the expectations of the common people rather than try to re-mystify public health. At present, the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare and many state institutes of health & family welfare are doing better than the PHFI and IIPHs. So, no organisation or institution should overlook the opportunity-cost factor while delivering services in the name of public health.
Ajay K Tripathy,
Health Economics & Policy scholar, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
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