As a follow-up to the March 11 inaugural lecture honoring Philip Musgrove, we are launching a website to commemorate Philip Musgrove's contributions to international health economics. It includes a biography, tributes from close colleagues and a bibliography with links to many health economics-related publications. It will also include notices of events, such as this evening's lecture at the World Bank by Dr. William Hsiao, K.T. Li Professor of Economics at Harvard's School of Public Health.

For me, the first day of the ISESE Asia Regional Skills Symposium in New Delhi, India included welcoming participants from 8 countries (many of whom arrived unprepared for the record low winter temperatures) and assuming the role of a stern, glass-tapping time keeper. This role wasn’t easy to play, as it was difficult to hamper the interesting discussion and very lively Q&A sessions.

Imagine you’re a mother in India with a sick child. Your healthcare choices are dizzying: there’s the traditional healer on your block, an expensive private doctor, several well-meaning health providers that may or may not have medical qualifications, and a far-off government clinic. With no knowledge about the quality of each provider, you will likely be guided by the amount of money in your pocket and knowing who is nearby.

I have spent most of my career advocating and working towards  basic education for everyone, and above all for the poor.  I had always thought that this meant getting  kids into school and ensuring that they learned the curriculum – with it becoming increasingly clear in recent years that the learning was not happening, or not happening to a sufficient standard.