Raghavendra Patel Chittimella

Facilitate the expedited implementation of hypertension treatment protocols at state and/or district levels, offering technical assistance to governmental bodies and their partners across planning, training, surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation of hypertension treatment and control initiatives. Provide technical guidance to extend hypertension management services to the community level, enhancing accessibility and patient satisfaction.

Offer technical assistance to health facilities and community-level workers to ensure timely, accurate, and comprehensive documentation of patient blood pressure and status. Implement standardized recording and reporting systems, whether paper-based or electronic, to streamline aggregate reporting of hypertension data, including prevalence, treatment, and control rates.

Conduct visits to facilities at district, sub-district, and institutional levels to bolster the capacity of program staff in assessing and enhancing service delivery quality based on data insights. Validate clinical data through triangulation of records, reports, and patient interviews, while concurrently building the capacity of government counterparts in this practice.

Regularly analyze and interpret surveillance and epidemiological data to inform appropriate government and partner actions. Support uninterrupted drug supply at all levels by reinforcing drug logistics management capacity at state and district levels.

As a technical expert, prepare presentations, draft reports, and strategic documents crucial for decision-making and implementation at district and state levels. Foster collaboration and coordination with partner agencies, non-governmental organizations, health facilities, professional bodies, and other stakeholders to fortify programmatic activities.

Contribute to capacity building efforts at different governmental levels, including crafting training plans, facilitating training sessions, and assisting in the development and revision of training modules for various staff cadres. Engage with national, state, and/or district-level authorities and key non-governmental partners to galvanize political and administrative commitment towards hypertension treatment and control.

Provide guidance and ensure timely performance assessments of supervisees, such as data officers, delivering constructive feedback. Regularly furnish feedback and reports to the hiring agency on adherence to clinical treatment protocols and performance in hypertension control, grounded in clinical data and public health principles.

• Wrote reports outlining project progress and results.
• Completed duties to deliver on targets with accuracy and efficiency.
• Promoted continuous improvement by problem-solving and sharing suggestions to optimise team operations.
• Applied critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions and select best decisions.
• Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.

Engaged in technical cooperation with the WHO Country Office for Nepal to provide support to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) Nepal in enhancing the care cascade for hypertension services within the WHO NORAD NCD Initiative, focusing on one of Nepal's eight districts. Responsibilities encompassed:

• Facilitating the development of hypertension and diabetes treatment protocols through consensus meetings with government officials and expert members.
• Creation of a care cascade toolkit tailored to hypertension services.
• Designing health facility forms, registries, and other tools essential for the care cascade, along with a forecasting tool for drug requirements based on prevalence and national targets.
• Conducting orientation sessions for healthcare teams across all health facilities in the district on the care cascade toolkit.
• Orienting practice facilitators in Kavre district to conduct supportive supervision for hypertension care cascade implementation in health facilities.
• Providing supervised attachment opportunities for practice facilitators from seven NORAD districts in Kavre district.
• Mentoring core care teams from seven implementing districts during field attachments in Kavre district.

Key achievements include:

• Strategic planning and comprehensive orientation on the hypertension care cascade in Karvepalanchok (a NORAD district in Nepal).
• Conducting extensive orientation sessions for all health staff within the district.
• Designing essential tools, such as formats, registers, and other resources, crucial for the effective implementation of the care cascade in the NORAD district.
• Delivering orientation sessions to the NCD team on the intricacies of the care cascade.
• Finalizing treatment protocols for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, ensuring alignment with best practices and local contexts.

Facilitated the expedited adoption of hypertension treatment protocols at state and district levels, offering technical assistance to governmental entities and their partners in planning, training, surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation. Provided technical support to extend hypertension management services to the community level, enhancing patient accessibility and satisfaction. Offered guidance to health facilities and community-level workers to ensure timely, accurate, and comprehensive documentation of patient blood pressure and status, as well as aggregate reporting of hypertension data utilizing standardized systems, whether paper-based or electronic. Conducted visits to facilities at various levels to enhance program staff capacity in service delivery quality assessment, documentation of best practices, and data-driven improvements. Validated clinical data through triangulation and patient interviews, while building capacity among government counterparts. Regularly analyzed surveillance and epidemiological data to inform follow-up actions by governmental and partner entities. Ensured uninterrupted drug supply through capacity building in drug logistics management at state and district levels. Delivered presentations, drafted reports, and developed strategic documents for decision-making at district and state levels. Coordinated with partner agencies, non-governmental organizations, health facilities, and professional bodies to bolster programmatic activities. Enhanced governmental capacity through training plan preparation, trainer training, and development of training modules for various staff cadres. Collaborated with national, state, and/or district-level authorities and non-governmental partners to reinforce political and administrative commitment to hypertension treatment and control. Provided guidance and conducted timely performance assessments of supervisees, offering constructive feedback. Regularly provided feedback and reports to the hiring agency on adherence to clinical treatment protocols and performance in hypertension control, grounded in clinical data and public health principles.

Supported the Immunization Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in reviewing and coordinating designated thematic components of the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), including Monitoring & Evaluation, Cold Chain Management, Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI), and Health System Strengthening, in collaboration with states and partners. Provided techno-managerial assistance to the Immunization Division across various activities. Assisted in establishing monitoring and review mechanisms concerning vaccine stock, cold chain logistics, and training. Conducted monitoring and evaluation of the UIP, offering feedback to senior officials at both the national and state levels for interventions. Planned, executed, and reviewed initiatives such as Mission Indradhanush, Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination Campaigns, and AEFI Surveillance programs. Developed and disseminated Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for effective communication. Formulated technical guidelines and protocols pertaining to vaccines, program implementation, and policy to enhance immunization coverage nationwide. Supported MoHFW in a techno-managerial capacity for the introduction of new vaccines and projected vaccine requirements for the UIP. Conducted field visits to oversee planning and implementation processes, delivering feedback at relevant levels and liaising with states for UIP implementation.

As a dedicated professional, I have been deeply involved in providing technical guidance and support to both government and non-governmental stakeholders in the critical area of polio eradication and related immunization activities. This multifaceted role encompasses a wide array of responsibilities aimed at advancing the goals of polio eradication, routine immunization, measles elimination, rubella control, and surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases.

One of my primary functions has been to offer comprehensive technical assistance to governmental and non-governmental personnel involved in various aspects of polio eradication efforts. This assistance covers a broad spectrum of activities, including acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance, supplementary immunization activities, certification processes, and the implementation of strategic endgame approaches. By providing detailed guidance and support, I ensure that all stakeholders are equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources to effectively contribute to polio eradication initiatives.

This involves developing and implementing strategies to strengthen immunization programs, enhance surveillance mechanisms, and improve vaccination coverage rates. Through capacity-building initiatives, I empower government and non-governmental stakeholders to effectively carry out their roles and responsibilities in these critical areas.

A key aspect of my role is to monitor and evaluate the planning and implementation of various immunization activities. This entails conducting regular analysis and interpretation of epidemiological, surveillance, and immunization data to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and inform decision-making processes. By providing evidence-based insights and recommendations, I support governments and partners in implementing appropriate follow-up actions to address emerging challenges and optimize program outcomes.

Additionally, I have played a pivotal role in supporting special immunization campaigns, such as those involving inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), which are crucial for achieving and maintaining polio-free status. Through liaison and coordination with partner agencies, including UNICEF, Rotary, and others, I ensure the successful implementation of these campaigns and the alignment of efforts towards shared objectives.

In parallel with my focus on polio eradication and immunization activities, I have also contributed to broader health priorities as part of the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy. This includes supporting initiatives aimed at addressing other public health challenges and strengthening health systems to improve overall health outcomes.

In summary, my extensive experience and expertise in immunization and disease surveillance have positioned me as a valuable asset in advancing global health goals, particularly in the areas of polio eradication, routine immunization, and vaccine-preventable disease control. Through my dedication, strategic leadership, and collaborative approach, I remain committed to making a meaningful impact in the field of public health. Over the past seven-plus years, I have had the privilege of working in various states across the country, starting with Bihar and subsequently extending to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. My journey has been one of continuous growth and learning, driven by a desire to expand my professional horizons and make meaningful contributions at the national level.

In Bihar, I was immersed in the intricacies of public health initiatives, gaining invaluable experience in tackling challenges related to immunization, disease surveillance, and program implementation. This initial phase laid a strong foundation for my subsequent endeavors.

Transitioning to Telangana, I embraced new responsibilities and opportunities, further honing my skills in polio eradication, routine immunization, and other vital healthcare initiatives. Here, I had the privilege of being recognized for my contributions to the Mission Indradhanush program, highlighting the impact of our efforts in improving healthcare delivery in high-priority districts.

Subsequently, my journey led me to Andhra Pradesh, where I continued to leverage my expertise to support various health interventions aimed at improving immunization coverage, combating infectious diseases, and strengthening healthcare systems at the grassroots level.

Managed the selection process for eligible candidates for non-scalpel vasectomy, ensuring their inclusion in the study and obtaining informed consent. Conducted non-scalpel vasectomy procedures and provided regular updates to the head office on a weekly basis. Followed up with patients and confirmed the success of the procedure through semen analysis after three months. Generated monthly analyses of vasectomies performed and compiled basic socio-economic indicators. Provided motivation and support to motivators at fertility clinics and central government hospitals. Organized vasectomy camps in remote areas, military, and air force hospitals in and around New Delhi and Haryana State. Successfully executed the study at various sites in the National Capital Region. Additionally, offered counseling services to parents who have completed their family planning goals. Alos worked as external Monitor for vaccination programs, including National Immunization Days and Pulse Polio campaigns.

Experience in delivering primary and secondary healthcare services, overseeing the management of a 30-bed rural hospital within the district. Directed daily outpatient and inpatient services, including round-the-clock duties twice weekly. Oversaw medico-legal cases, conducting postmortems, medico-legal documentation, and providing expert opinions in court proceedings. Implemented various National Health Programs and conducted training sessions for school teachers on early childhood disease identification. Organized monthly or fortnightly tubectomy camps and effectively managed outbreak situations, such as Acute Diarrheal Disease outbreaks. Successfully administered all aspects of nurse, ward boy, and Community Health Center operations. Demonstrated proficiency in managing Community Health Center operations and facilitating the implementation of National Health Programs. Also served as a trainer for teachers on early childhood disease identification and provided training for field staff on immunization protocols.

• Provided services for patients undergoing outpatient procedures.