India is reevaluating its position within global health frameworks as the World Health Organization (WHO) faces mounting criticism. The United States’ exit from the WHO, followed by countries like Russia and Hungary, signals a shift in global health dynamics. Critics argue that the WHO, once a neutral body, is increasingly influenced by powerful donors like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies, rather than prioritizing the health realities of nations like India. This is particularly evident in the realm of tobacco control, where policies under WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) often fail to account for India’s unique challenges, such as its large smokeless tobacco user population.
India’s track record in public health—such as its success with HIV/AIDS, polio, and the CoWIN platform during the COVID-19 pandemic—has been rooted in homegrown solutions tailored to local needs. However, global health frameworks often miss the mark, with policies that are not adaptable to India’s diverse healthcare needs.
The market reflects a demand for more flexible, context-sensitive health solutions that better address regional concerns, particularly in tobacco control and harm reduction.
