A Health Researcher is Paid Higher Salary Than President Obama

In an example of how warped the structure is for global health research, we present a case where a health researcher is paid more than President. Entirely funded by the Gates Foundation, the researcher is paid about US$ 500,000 (half a million US dollars) every year -- as compared to President Obama's $400,000. The grant was also negotiated by an individual who soon thereafter became a Senior Advisor to the Gates Foundation and often makes passionate speeches about "fighting poverty"! At least a quarter of a million to half a million Africans could be provided health care with what is spent on that single salary.
Further, underpinning that grant is the DALY methodology that has been heavily criticized: see here and here and here
And, there are indeed many more articles.

So much for "fighting poverty." More details to follow.

Event in New Delhi to Commemorate the Nobel Conference and Commission

On April 20, 2010, we are holding an event in New Delhi to
commemorate the Nobel Conference and Commission.
Do join us at the India International Centre. Detailed plans to follow.

20th Anniversary of Nobel Conference on Health Research

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Nobel Conference on Health Research at which the Report of the Commission on Health Research for Development's Report was presented. I was the Assistant Director and sole full-time staff member for much of the life of the Commission. This year, we particularly remember Commissioners Dr. Saburo Okita, former Foreign Minister of Japan and Dr. V. Ramalingaswami, former Director General of the Indian Council for Medical Research, two of the finest.

Many articles will be posted to this site, so keep tuned!

In the interim: For links to Dr. Chacko's articles, click here
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Dr. Sunil Chacko, MD (Kerala), MPH (Harvard), MBA (Columbia)
Professor of Health Sciences (Adjunct)
Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
and Indira Gandhi National University, New Delhi, India
e-mail: sunilchacko@hotmail.com