Ravinder Kumar
Public Health Specialist
Shimla
Summary
CAREER SUMMARY I am a dedicated public health expert with extensive experience in designing, managing, and evaluating large-scale programs focused on tobacco control, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), HIV, and tuberculosis (TB). My expertise spans across conceptualization, implementation, and oversight of projects, supported by robust operational research and monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Through my international exposure and local engagements in India, I have developed a deep understanding of critical health issues and effective response strategies. I excel in stakeholder engagement, collaborating seamlessly with governmental bodies, NGOs, technical institutions, donors, and other key stakeholders. My approach combines rigorous research methodologies with a commitment to data quality and evidence-based decision making. Key highlights of my career include roles as a Technical Advisor for Bloomberg Initiatives grants at the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, and as a consultant for the World Health Organization, providing technical support for the National TB Program (NTP) in India. Currently serving as a State Program Officer for NTP, I am passionate about contributing to global efforts to End TB. GENERAL SKILLS Program development, program management, monitoring & evaluation (Writing proposals, concept notes, log frameworks, tools for evaluations and impact assessments Grant Management & Donor relationship management (For project/program compliance including the progress reporting) Business process reengineering (for operational efficiency, feasibility & impact assessments) Quantitative Research (Designing and managing surveys, sample size calculations, observational and experimental studies, data quality management); Qualitative Research (Designing and organizing focus group interview, in-depth interviews, panel studies, key informant interviews, exit interviews). Capacity building (For researchers, data collectors, program staff).
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Himachal
01.2011
State Program Officer
National TB Elimination Program NHM Himachal Pradesh
1 2024 - 1 2021
- Programme management: Preparation of annual Program Implementation Plans (PIP)
- Advocacy with Ministry of Health for approval and funds release
- Periodic technical and financial performance review
- Multisectoral engagement: Developed an effective platform for multisectoral engagement for TB elimination
- Planned and facilitated State level workshop in 2024
- Facilitated operationalization of TB labs in Department of AYUSH and Department of Prisons
- Partnership strengthened with private sector for TB case notification and patient management
- Task Force mechanism in medical colleges strengthened for their engagement in NTEP
- Supervision & Monitoring: Participated in multi-level program review system i.e
- At State, district and block level
- Provided feedback to Districts on key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Capacity building: Planned and coordinated trainings of trainers (ToTs) for training of Community Health Officers, Medical Officers, Nursing staff and pharmacy officers
- Facilitator support for trainings of medical colleges faculties and residents in new EPTB guidelines
- Supply chain management: Planned and coordinated training on SCM and store management for pharmacy officers
- TB drugs stock out managed
- Planned, coordinated and facilitated State level TOT in Nikshay Aushadhi software in July 2024
- Newer initiatives: Planned and coordinated roll out of TB Mukt Himachal app as a monitoring tool for NTEP, roll out of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) for sample transportation, cough syrup sale surveillance for intensification of TB case notification, roll out of AI enabled Handheld X ray through CSR support, roll out of Adult BCG vaccination and roll out of Differentiated TB care model to reduce TB mortality., )
- Supply chain management: Did stakeholder analysis and root cause analysis to remove the existed constraints, challenges and bottlenecks in the supply chain management in the state
- Provided hands on training on store management, local procurement and record keeping to key staffs at all levels
- No drug stock outs noticed after 2014
- Planned, coordinated and facilitated DVDMS software training for district trainers in September 2017
- Newer initiatives: Planned and coordinated roll out of Active TB case findings campaigns
- Intensive technical support for ensuing electronic transcription of program data in Nikshay web portal through hands on training, rigorous monitoring and troubleshooting
- Intensive planning and coordination to roll out daily regimen to drug sensitive TB patient
- Provided technical support to State to prepare for rolling out 99 DOTS- an ICT enabled treatment adherence system for drug sensitive TB patients
- Participated and contributed to the national workshops in developing National strategic plan 2017-2025 by Ministry of Health
- Planned and coordinated consultative meetings of state and national experts on TB Elimination mission of the State and facilitated approval of strategies document by the Government
- Technical Assistance provided for successful conduction of four rounds Sub National TB free certification surveys
- Coordinated and facilitated Nikshay Mitra Initiative in the State to provide supplemental nutrition to TB patients.
Medical Consultant
WHO NTEP
06.2014 - 12.2024
- Advocacy: Highest level political support and administrative commitment garnered for the program
- Successful advocacy brought rollout of Supplementary Nutritional Support for MDR-TB patients-1st state in India to provide nutrition from States own funds, roll out of Chief Minister Scheme for TB Elimination- 1st State in India, roll out of National Partnership guidelines for NGO & Private providers, disbursement of enhanced incentives to community DOT providers and filling up of vacant positions under the program
- Following advocacy and networking, planned and coordinated corporate meet with Health Minister for funding support for the program from the corporate houses
- Programme management: Technical support in preparing annual and supplementary Program Implementation Plans (PIP)
- Successful advocacy with Ministry of Health for approval and funds release
- Technical support in conducting periodic performance review, tracked program activities (including funds allocation and spending)
- Prepared progress reports as per donor formats.re-allocation of funds
- Successful implementation of revised HIV/TB guidelines 2015
- Single window system established for TB/HIV con-infected patients
- Co-located HIV screening and TB diagnostic facilities
- Technical support provided to State to roll out TB preventive treatment (TPT) to expanded group of beneficiaries in 2021
- Engagement of all care providers: Developed an effective liasoning and coordination mechanism with Indian Medical Association office bearers and professional bodies of different clinical specialities Prepared data base of practioners, hospitals and laboratories in private sector
- Planned, designed and coordinated Continued Medical Education programs in recent advances in TB care with funding support from The Union
- Uptake of public health facilities including CBNAAT service by private sector increased
- Public health action initiated by Private sector
- Effective coordination mechanism developed with medical colleges
- Program review and technical inputs in core committee meetings and STF review meetings
- Provided faculty support in the training programs for medical colleges faculties and residents under RNTCP
- State Task Force Himachal Pradesh judged best body in North India for last three years
- Supervision & Monitoring: Participated as a key member of national teams in the Central Internal Evaluation (Himachal Pradesh 2016 and Assam 2015), Common Review Mission (Uttrakhand 2015), Joint Monitoring Mission (Himachal Pradesh 2015), WHO-World Bank DLI Verification Mission (Himachal Pradesh 2016 & 2017)
- Planned and coordinated State Internal Evaluation activities in Uttrakhand state (District Nainital, 2015) and several districts in Himachal Pradesh
- As a part of national team, evaluated Jharkhand state and Chandigarh (UT) before launch of daily regimen
- Developed and implemented multitier program review system (regular monthly review at PHC, TB Unit level and District level and quarterly review at State level
- Scaling up of PMDT services: High end advocacy backed by technical inputs ensured an early installation and functioning of 8 CBNAAT machines
- Planned, proposed and received approval and funds for establishing 4 Nodal DRTB and 17 district DRTB Centres
- Planned and provided intensive inputs for rolling out new diagnostic algorithm with upfront use of CBNAAT since Feburary 2017 and Universal DST since August 2017 across the State
- Technical support provided for implementation of revised PMDT guidelines 2021 and Bedaquiline containing shorter MDR regimen was successfully rolled out
- Capacity building: Conducted training need assessment activities (TNA) on regular basis, prepared training calendars, planned and coordinated trainings of trainers (ToTs)
- As a resource person, provided training to thousands of officials on different components of RNTCP such as Revised Technical & Operational guidelines (TOG), Standards for TB care in India (STCI), FDC & Daily regimen, Procurement & Supply Chain Management, Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB (PMDT), TB-HIV collaboration, TB-Diabetes collaboration and TB-Tobacco national framework
- Operational Research: Resource person for zonal (Patiala 2014, Solan 2016) and State Level Operational workshops (Tanda 2016) under RNTCP
- Principal investigator in an ongoing Operational Research project on Non-Tubercular Mycobacterium supported by Ministry of Health
- Co-investigator in NIRT Chennai and The Global Fund supported OR project on engagement of AYUSH practioners on enhancing TB case notification rate in India (2016)
- As a member of State Task Force, supported 8 OR projects under RNTCP in the medical colleges
- Coordinated the National Drug Resistance Survey in Himachal Pradesh for National TB Institute Bengaluru (2016) and ICMR supported National TB Prevalence Survey
Technical Officer
International Union Against Tuberculosis & Lung Disease
01.2012 - 05.2014
- Technical support to BI grants program, NTCP India with timely deliverables, tobacco control activities in the region, as inputs on policy issues related to tobacco control in the region and designing and implementing tobacco control programs in the states
- Coordination: Developed and maintained close and effective relationships with other agencies involved in tobacco control including MOH, State departments of Health & BI partners/grantees, contributed to the Union’s international advocacy efforts though continuous contact and policy discussion with other key international actors, participated in appropriate technical meetings and conferences on tobacco control and lung health and liaisoned with other regional centres for tobacco control, national and international organizations including World Health Organization, national institutes of health, educational institutions, funding agencies, foundations, and ministries of health
- Strategic Planning: Contributed to formulation of strategic planning within the Union South East Asia and monitored progress achieved against the indicators set within strategic plans, contributed to the development and implementation of short and long range plans and policies and other activities and contributed to the development of the Union South East Asia office strategy for 2012-2020
- Capacity Building: Coordinated and delivered of face-to-face trainings under the Union training and development programme, coordinated and delivered on-line technical trainings, coordinated workshops for dissemination of information related to tobacco control, contributed to the development of the Union’s Regional TC strategy to strengthen tobacco control programs in the region
- Other Responsibilities: Stayed current with latest technical knowledge/experience in tobacco control and incorporated this into technical strategies, program designs and project implementation and coordinated, implemented and published relevant operational research regularly.
Officer Special Duty
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Conceptualised, designed, drafted and submitted a pilot of National Program on Prevention and Control of Disease, Cardiovascular disease and Stroke (NPCDCS) for approval and roll out
- Prepared Programme Implementation Plan under NPCDCS and did successful advocacy for funds release from Government of India
- Advocacy with State government, coordination, follow ups and liasoning with Ministry of Health, Government of India, revived the ICMR supported Task Force Project on Cancer control in three districts in Himachal Pradesh
- Coordinated technical workshops at State level resource persons pooling from National institutes
- Collaborated with Medical colleges, Health department officials, Indian Council of Medical Research and Ministry of Health
- Conducted review meetings and orientation workshops at State level
- Organized training program for Medical Officers and paramedical staff
- Supervisory and monitoring visits to districts and peripheral units to monitor the activities under the program
- Reviewed program implementation at district and below district levels.
Faculty (Medical Lecturer cum Demonstrator)
State Health & Family Welfare Training Centre
05.2009 - 01.2012
- Conducted training need assessment for all categories of officials in Health Department
- Prepared training calendar, training modules and maintained data base of resource persons on different topics
- Planned, coordinated and provided resource person support for induction and re-orientation training programs for all categories of health officials
- Facilitated on sessions on RNTCP in all training batches
- As RNTCP training coordinator, conducted Medical officer’s modular trainings (5 batches) and PMDT modular trainings (4 batches)
- As a key member in State team, participated in the State Internal Evaluation of RNTCP (Distt Shimla 2010 and District Mandi 2011)
- Planned, coordinated and facilitated Professional Development Course in Public Health Management (70 days’ duration) for Sr
- Medical Officers with support from Ministry of Health
- Conceptualised, planned, coordinated and facilitated new course “Administrative and Financial Management for Medical Officers
- Conceptualised, planned and conducted compliance assessment survey of smoke free district headquarters for State health department (2011)
- Conducted an evaluation study on “Tobacco free village” for state Government (2011)
- Coordinated and facilitated trainings on health data management information system (MIS) with special focus on data entry, data analysis, and interpretation of routine MIS data
- Provided technical support to Bloomberg Initiatives supported smoke free grant in Himachal Pradesh; facilitated trainings of health officials, project staff and law enforcers
- Prepared and submitted Health Vision document of Department of Health and Family welfare, Government of Himachal Pradesh (2011)
- Prepared and submitted the Results Framework Document (RFD) of Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government
Medical Officer
Primary Health Centre Sudhar District Mandi
03.2005 - 07.2007
- Provided routine OPD (clinical services) in a Primary Health Centre (PHC) situated in a remote area with difficult geographical terrains
- Implemented and managed all national health programs including Revised National TB Control Program, National AIDS control Program, Integrated Disease Survellance Program, Reproductive & Child Health Program at PHC area
- Under RNTCP, sputum collection centre backed with sample transport mechanism established in the PHC
- DOT Centre also establshed in the PHC
- Provided public health services through network of three health subcentres (HSC) manned by Health workers
- Supervised seven staff members at PHC and Health subcentres,conducted
- Established Health Management Information System (HMIS) for an efficient reporting
- Carried out extensive health promotion activities; celebrated World TB Day, World No Tobacco Day and World AIDS day with involvement of members from local bodies, NGOs, Self Help groups and education department
- Planned and coordinated medical camps and eye surgery camp with support from an US based international NGO Himalayan Health Exchange in 2005 and 2006.
House Physician
Indira Gandhi Medical College
08.2004 - 01.2005
- Managed OPD and IPD services in Chest & TB department in a Medical College
- Implemented and managed RNTCP in the medical college, supervised DOT Centre and Designated Microscopic Centre in a medical college
- Maintained data base of diagnosed and referred outpatients; developed a feedback mechanism
- Coordinated with other departments in the medical college and populated DOTS strategy
- Carried out counselling and health education activities for TB patients
- Assisted faculties in pleural effusion tapping, chest tube insertion, tracheostomy, bronchoscopy procedures, Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) test and Pulmonary Function Tests.
Education
Graduate Certificate - Global Tobacco Control
John Hopkins University
Masters - Public Health
Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
01.2007 - 04.2009
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery - undefined
Himachal Pradesh University
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 01.1998 - 04.2004
Bachelor of Science - undefined
Himachal Pradesh University
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 01.1995 - 04.1998
RNTCP Modular training (1-4 & 5-9) for program managers - undefined
National TB Institute
on Managing Information for Action - undefined
RNTCP National TB Institute
Skills
TECHNICAL SKILLS
General: Windows (all versions), MS Office (MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Power Point) Special: SPSS v220, Epi-info & Epi-data v31, OpenEpi v301, Mendeley for managing references Databases: PubMed, Google scholar, Cochrane for scientific literature IT: Internet surfing, attachments and downloading for general information and communication through internet/e-mails
Mediating Skills: Worked as a student counselor and coordinating member between students and college authorities
Intellectual Skills
My never say die approach, analytical ability and aptitude towards learning
Accomplishments
- Number 1 2013 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239971553_Public_Health_as_a_Career_Option_Postgraduate_Students%27_Perspective
- Kumar R, Lal P et al (2013) Assessing compliance to smoke-free legislation: results of a sub-national survey in Himachal Pradesh, India WHO South-East Asia J Public Health 2013; 2:52-6
- Http://www.searo.who.int/publications/journals/seajph/seajphv2n1_p52.pdf
Affiliations
Life Member- Indian Public Health Association (2) Member- World NCD Foundation (3) Member-International Union Against Tuberculosis & Lung Disease (5) Member-State Task Force, Himachal Pradesh (6) Member-State Technical Advisory Group on TB Elimination, Himachal Pradesh
Languages
English (Fluent), Hindi (Native), Punjabi (Fluent)
Timeline
Medical Consultant
WHO NTEP
06.2014 - 12.2024
Technical Officer
International Union Against Tuberculosis & Lung Disease
01.2012 - 05.2014
Himachal
01.2011
Officer Special Duty
01.2010 - 01.2012
Faculty (Medical Lecturer cum Demonstrator)
State Health & Family Welfare Training Centre
05.2009 - 01.2012
Masters - Public Health
Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
01.2007 - 04.2009
Medical Officer
Primary Health Centre Sudhar District Mandi
03.2005 - 07.2007
House Physician
Indira Gandhi Medical College
08.2004 - 01.2005
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery - undefined
Himachal Pradesh University
01.1998 - 04.2004
Bachelor of Science - undefined
Himachal Pradesh University
01.1995 - 04.1998
State Program Officer
National TB Elimination Program NHM Himachal Pradesh
1 2024 - 1 2021
Graduate Certificate - Global Tobacco Control
John Hopkins University
RNTCP Modular training (1-4 & 5-9) for program managers - undefined
National TB Institute
on Managing Information for Action - undefined
RNTCP National TB Institute