ABSTRACT
In this book, I explore the evolving narratives of patienthood within the Indian healthcare system, focusing on how historical, social, and cultural forces have shaped the archetype of the “passive patient”. Through a series of interconnected chapters, I examine the emergence of the “passive patient” archetype, the rhetoric of passivity in legal and medical discourses, and the everyday indignities faced by patients and family members, especially those who are marginalized, in a system where deep inequalities and inequities persist. My aim is to argue for a reimagining of patienthood that centers self-respect, recognition, and agency. As I show in the following chapters, the presumed passive role of patients is not merely the result of isolated interactions but is perpetuated by the very oppressive structure of the healthcare system and the broader societal, cultural and political context.
