Reforming India's health care is a mighty task and will require vision

Readers discuss India, Salt Bae, fog and more

People segregate expired medicines outside a chemist store in New Delhi, India. Saumya Khandelwal / Reuters

I write in reference to your article India's plan for the world's largest public healthcare system is a big idea but is it doomed to failure? (February 7): compliments to Ms Roshan Lall for her excellent article. India does not have the network of medical centres, doctors, insurance company branches etc to execute a health plan of this magnitude for the village poor, deep in India's rural hinterland. Hence the proposed health insurance proposal is wobbly.

The government is becoming accustomed to making public pronouncements to garner attention and votes, without doing adequate homework. Two other such instances of drum-beating are demonetisation, which failed to flush out any unaccounted wealth and the goods and services tax, which is confusing in its various provisions. It is better for the government to assume a low profile and deliver some concrete results instead of launching half-baked schemes, like the marketing team of a consumer products company. Managing a country is very different from managing a start-up. Every policy pronouncement is not a product to be launched with fanfare. In government, the policy has to deliver concrete results to be credible.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

The recent budget announcement from the Indian finance minister on a very ambitious healthcare system was laudable. But at the same time, opposition parties and analysts are worrying whether this system is feasible and can be implemented. On the one hand, the Modi government's new health policy will cover people living below the poverty line. On the other, each individual state will be responsible for maintaining the system. So is it possible? It's certainly a mighty task which, with some vision, we can fulfil. In the end we will have to wait and see.

K Ragavan, India

Is time up for the butcher turned internet sensation?

In reference to your online article Poor reviews for Salt Bae's New York restaurant leave a nasty taste (February 7), I experienced poor service in his Turkey branch. He shot to fame after being a butcher and grilling food for celebrities in the Turkish equivalent of the Survival series. He is a butcher, not a cook and has no background in restaurant service. That's my two cents' worth.

Maryam Zandi, Abu Dhabi

Clarification still needed on good conduct certificates

I write in reference to your online article UAE good conduct certificate: expats won't need police document to change jobs (February 7); I think this is a great idea but what constitutes a criminal offence? I'm sure that definition varies from country to country. For instance, a bounced cheque in the US is not something that you would go to jail over but it can get you in big trouble here, even if it's an oversight. I'm not personally worried about this but certainly clarification will be needed as to what will keep you from being able to work here.

Kathie Daniel, Dubai

Drivers should take more care in fog

In reference to your online article Video captures dramatic moment 44 vehicles collide in fog on Dubai-Abu Dhabi road (February 6), this whole thing could have been easily avoided. People: fog doesn't cause accidents, careless drivers do. How about slowing down and using headlights? It's not rocket science.

Chris Murphy, Dubai