This small handy book is written with the aim of entertaining and educating the public on the various important issues of health care in India and the third world. The author Prof. K.R. Sethuraman has been an active advisor to various consumer and health activists of Asia-Pacific region for the last 10 years.

This hard hitting book has the following Objectives:

a) analyse controversial issues like fee-splitting, unnecessary surgery or tests, cross-practice, negligence, malpractice, etc., in a simple and holistic manner;

b) discuss the role of character in quality health care, for example, sexual misconduct and how women can take suitable precautions to prevent exploitation;

c) analyse coping mechanisms in health care and point out how to be smarter and less gullible in seeking health care;

d) try and arouse the activists into more meaningful action based on the recent Citizens Charter of 1996;

e) sensitise doctors and other health professionals on current crises in health care in the third world and coax them to take up a more citizen friendly and ethical role.

This book is targeted at, a) general public, b) health and consumer activists and c) medical and health professionals.

It has 52 chapters arranged in 3 sections:

- Section I deals with Issues in Health Care and has 20 chapters.
- Section II deals with Character in Health Care and has 11 chapters
- Section III deals with Coping with Health Care and has 21 chapters
- Appendix highlights the recent guidelines on emergency services and Model Citizens Charter released by Govt. of India.

Each chapter focuses on one issue in health care. A fable or a folk-tale that sets the tone is used as an "attention-grabber". A true-life story with a similar message as the fable is then related. A brief discussion on relevant health care issue follows. Each section cites several references to give credibility as well as to be of use to a serious reader. The text is embellished with 20 cartoons at appropriate places.

It is the fond hope of the author that all the key players in providing and receiving health care will act synergistically to enhance the quality of care.