Come election time and the government's mind turns to thoughts of the people's welfare, or at least to the appearance of it. A perennial favourite of every government that wishes to show its commitment to the people's well – being is health care. So it is not surprising that the DMK government in Tamilnadu has a flurry of health camps. Also, the Corporation of Chennai, which it controls, has announced an increased outlay for health in this year's budget. But how deep is the commitment? Very shallow, one fears.