A Conversation with Dr. Suneel Dhand: On Health, COVID-19, and the Future of Medicine

It’s not every day you get to sit down with someone who has been on the frontlines of one of the most tumultuous periods in modern medicine. Dr. Suneel Dhand, a physician, author, and outspoken advocate for health and wellness, has been a voice of reason—and at times, controversy—during the COVID-19 pandemic. When I had the chance to speak with him, I was struck by his candour, his deep concern for the state of public health, and his unwavering commitment to addressing the root causes of chronic disease.

 

Our conversation began with a bit of background. Dr. Dhand, who now practices in the northeastern United States, grew up just outside London and studied medicine in Cardiff, Wales. After a stint in the UK’s National Health Service, he moved to the U.S. to complete his residency and has been here ever since. But it was during his early years as a consultant physician that he noticed something troubling: the majority of his patients were suffering from lifestyle-driven illnesses.

 

Over 10 years ago, I realised that most of what I was seeing was related to poor lifestyle choices and a toxic food environment,” he told me. “And since then, the problem has only got worse.”

 

This realisation sparked a passion for writing and speaking about health and wellness, a journey that gained momentum during the pandemic. Dr. Dhand’s social media presence exploded as he shared his views on COVID-19, lockdowns, and vaccinations—views that resonated with many but also put him at odds with the mainstream narrative.

 

The Early Days of COVID-19

When I asked Dr. Dhand about his experiences during the early days of the pandemic, he didn’t hold back. As a hospital doctor, he was on the frontlines, treating some of the first COVID-19 patients in March 2020. Over the next two years, he worked in multiple hospitals, caring for thousands of patients hospitalised with the virus.

 

“From the beginning, there was a very clear set of risk factors, he explained. I didn’t see a single person under 65 hospitalised with COVID who wasn’t obese. The majority were elderly patients in their 70s and 80s. It was rare to see young people hospitalised.

 

This observation shaped his perspective on the pandemic. When lockdowns were implemented, Dr. Dhand was skeptical. I thought something was off right from the beginning, he said. I actually had COVID in February 2020, and it was a mild illness for me. I took a day off work and was fine. I’ve had worse flus before. So, when the world started shutting down, I didn’t understand the panic.

 

He acknowledged that COVID-19 was an unknown at the time, but he felt the response was disproportionate to the threat. The lockdowns caused so many other problems—people were stuck indoors, eating poorly, gaining weight, drinking more. The effect on kids was horrible.

 

Vaccines and Public Backlash

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines was another turning point for Dr. Dhand. As someone who had already contracted and recovered from the virus, he was skeptical of the push to vaccinate everyone, including those who had natural immunity.

 

I read the studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine as soon as the vaccine was released, he said. I remember blogging about it, saying there was a high number needed to treat, and it wasn’t going to make the virus disappear. It didn’t make sense to vaccinate everyone, especially young people and those who’d already had the infection.

 

His outspoken stance on the vaccine nearly cost him his career. I was coerced and threatened with losing my ability to practice medicine, he recalled. “But I stood firm. If you allow your body to be violated against your will and better judgment, there’s nothing left.”

 

In April 2021, Dr. Dhand posted a video explaining that he had high antibodies from a previous infection and didn’t need the vaccine. The video went viral, amassing over a million views and catapulting him into the spotlight.

 

The Future of Health in America

As our conversation turned to the future, Dr. Dhand expressed cautious optimism. He spoke about the alarming statistics—nearly 50% of children in the U.S. have prediabetes—and the urgent need to address the root causes of chronic disease.

 

This will eventually bring the nation down if we don’t address it, he warned. But he sees hope in the growing focus on health and wellness, particularly with figures like Bobby Kennedy Jr. taking on leadership roles in health policy.

 

RFK has been platforming everything doctors like me have been talking about—focusing on health, wellbeing, root causes, and addressing big pharma’s influence he said. There’s a real focus now on chronic disease reversal and removing subsidies for bad foods. But there are powerful forces that want to keep people sick, and they’ll fight hard against these changes.”

 

A Nation at a Crossroads

Dr. Dhand also shared his observations on the current mood in the U.S. since the election. While his area remains politically “blue,” he noted a shift in attitudes, even among young people.

 

Even people on the left knew the country was breaking, he said. Inflation and other issues made it hard to justify keeping things the same. I noticed young people were more open to supporting Trump this time, which was surprising. The economic message resonated with them.”

 

As we wrapped up our conversation, I couldn’t help but feel of what else possible. Dr. Dhand’s insights into the state of public health were sobering, but his determination to drive change was inspiring.

 

Thank you, Sara, he said as we concluded. It’s been a pleasure.

 

The pleasure was mine. In a world where health and politics are increasingly intertwined, voices like Dr. Dhand’s remind us of the importance of questioning, advocating, and striving for a healthier future.