Published : Aug 11, 2026 19:53 IST - 9 MINS READThe inadequacies of India’s healthcare system are an oft-repeated refrain in civil society and policy advocacy circles and are quite familiar to those engaged with providing healthcare services directly. The book opens with an accomplished overview and introduction that explains the basics of the healthcare system and its context to lay readers. On TB, Dr Atkuri notes that diagnosis, on average, required 8–11 visits and came 7–9 weeks after the onset of symptoms, with catastrophic costs in about 30–60 per cent of the cases. Dr Vandana Prasad is a community pediatrician and public health professional working for over three decades with vulnerable communities, especially in tribal areas. Also Read | Health mattersAlso Read | Models of field studies