TRAILBLAZERS: Dr Mukesh Kapila - Human rights crusader

Dr Kapila’s many years of experience in tough and, at times, disheartening situations have not diminished his passion for ‘doing the right thing’. He stands by his principles and urges us to re-evaluate the corporatisation of humanitarian and health discourses. He points out how globalisation has created interconnected dependencies that undermine agency of people, weaken communities and hollow out countries – which in turn erode multi-lateral systems. Similarly, he highlights the bureaucratisation of health systems strengthening is engendering an ecosystem that is inefficient, unresponsive and controlling. He urges people to have the courage to follow their own cooperative and supportive instincts. It was a pleasure to hear his unorthodox yet thought-provoking perspectives.