Professional Experience:
I bring over 13 years of progressive experience across public health policy, planning, program implementation, and research, with extensive engagement at the national level in India’s public health system.
Since December 2015, I have been associated with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, serving as Consultant and Senior Consultant (Public Health Policy & Planning) under the National Health Mission (NHM). In this role, I work closely with senior leadership at both national and state levels, including Additional Secretary and Mission Director, Joint Secretary (Policy), officials from the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), and State/UT Health Secretaries, Mission Directors, and State Programme Management Units. My work involves day-to-day coordination to support planning, approval, and implementation of key NHM components, particularly the preparation and appraisal of Annual Health Plans and State Program Implementation Plans (PIPs).
I have provided comprehensive technical and administrative support to advance national health priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals through effective policy execution and program management. A key focus of my work has been strengthening state health systems by guiding decentralized planning processes, mentoring state teams, and building capacities for effective implementation and monitoring. I have led and supported the development of State PIPs, coordinated National Programme Coordination Committee (NPCC) meetings, and prepared administrative approvals and documentation aligned with national priorities.
My role has included supporting the operationalization of major national initiatives such as Ayushman Arogya Mandir, the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), and the implementation of 15th Finance Commission recommendations, contributing to improved infrastructure development timelines, enhanced funding effectiveness, and better service delivery at the community level. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I provided critical technical support to States and Union Territories under ECRP-I and ECRP-II, strengthening emergency preparedness and response capacities.
In addition, I have contributed to the development and implementation of national and state-level health policies, conducted regular monitoring and evaluation, and provided actionable feedback to improve program performance. My thematic expertise spans multiple areas, including Public Health Management Cadre, Biomedical Equipment Management Programme, Public–Private Partnerships, Biomedical Waste Management, Clinical Establishments Act, Health Technology Assessment, Telemedicine, Knowledge Management, and PIP processes and software. I have also played a mentorship role, guiding consultants and junior consultants on technical and administrative aspects of policy and planning within NHM.
Prior to joining MoHFW, I worked as a Research Executive at Development & Research Services Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi (2012–2015). In this role, I managed end-to-end research projects, developed research plans, coordinated field activities, ensured data quality, and conducted data compilation, cleaning, and analysis. I led training programs for research teams, developed training materials, and applied innovative training methodologies. I was actively involved in large-scale studies, including DLHS-4, and conducted policy document reviews to generate evidence-based insights for public health research and policy formulation. This experience strengthened my understanding of grassroots health issues and reinforced my analytical and research competencies.
Overall, my experience reflects a strong blend of policy planning, program management, health systems strengthening, and research, enabling me to contribute effectively to national and state public health initiatives.