Review of Sanjoy Bhattacharya’s Expunging Variola: The Control and Eradication of Smallpox in India 1947 – 1977

Expunging Variola: The Control and Eradication of Smallpox in India 1947 – 1977
Sanjoy Bhattacharya
Published by Orient Longman

Expunging Variola is a serious and important book. This ‘nuanced history’ (p 7) enriches our understanding of the eradication of smallpox in India which went a long way to ensuring global eradication of smallpox in 1979. However, its true value outstrips a better understanding of local history. Its far greater value lies in what it teaches about human endeavour in the health field. Removing health inequalities is not easily or simply achieved. Having a good policy and programme is not good enough to ensure success. One has to be willing to communicate, negotiate, evaluate, redesign and persist. Health professionals, bureaucrats and politicians would do well to read this book and savour its message.

Mary Ditton, University of New England, Australia
CONTEMPORARY SOUTH ASIA 16(1) (March 2008)