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On April 23, 2008, Dr K Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India, released Safeguarding the Health Sector in Times of Macroeconomic Instability by Slim Haddad, Enis Baris, and Delampady Narayana, published by Africa World Press Inc., in association with IDRC, comprising the findings of the IDRC supported MAPHealth research project. At the launch at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, a number of distinguished panelists, including Dr T Sundararaman, Executive Director, National Health System Resources Center, Dr Sharmila Mhatre, Senior Program Specialist, and Dr. Pat Naidoo Program Leader (GEH), IDRC, joined Dr K Srinath Reddy to speak on the relevance of how health systems in the developing world have responded to macroeconomic austerity and adjustment measures. 

In his remarks, Dr Reddy, said the book had a definite mandate and would serve a specific purpose. The book is timely as there is a severe shortage of foodgrains which has forced the government to ban exports and raised a question mark on the ability of the government to protect social spending.  The euphoria of economic growth has been tempered by a reality check. He said the book would trigger a debate on the health sector, particularly the perils of unregulated privatization and pitfalls of decentralization which might aggravate inequity. The other panel members agreed that the book has great relevance at this juncture when the countries in question are trying to increase health sector spending and use the funds effectively.

Click here for more information on the book.

2008-04-30

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