Sudhir Raj -- Committed to improving the health of the disadvantaged
Sudhir is supporting in the implementation of population survey and qualitative research components as well as collating data from research articles in the area of salt for a newsletter on a regular basis to be uploaded to a website for dissemination.
Sudhir has expertise in managing projects, conducting health surveys and program evaluations. He also has international exposure working in Mongolia with Voluntary Service Overseas UK, as a Health Researcher assigned to the Provincial Health Department, and later as a Program Advisor in the European Commission funded health project ‘Improving health through community volunteering and empowerment’.
He also worked in both governmental and non-governmental sectors within institutions such as ASCI, IIHMR, UNDP India and ministries implementing a number of projects in areas of capacity development, child health, and immunization. His areas of interest are non-communicable diseases (NCDs), community health, and health system management, and he is interested in pursuing a PhD in public health.
Q 1. How long have you been working at The George Institute?
I have been working at the George Institute India for the past 1 year
Q 2. What inspires you in the work you do and why?
I love my current job role doing research, working in teams, meeting with people, observing field activities, reviewing scientific journals, data analysis and using results in decision-making. It enriches my professional skills and enhances my knowledge.
Q 3. What is your current research focus
Chronic diseases (CDs)
Q 4. What are examples of other work/projects you been involved with at The George Institute
Science of salt weekly (SOS) project. SOS is an email newsletter featuing short summaries of relevant Medline-retrieved articles that brings latest evidence and research related to dietary salt intake
Q 5. What is your professional background?
I have completed Masters in Anthropology from the University of Hyderabad, India. I have national and international exposure working in Mongolia with Voluntary Service Overseas UK, as a Health Researcher assigned to the Provincial Health Department, and later as a Program Advisor in the European Commission funded health project ‘Improving health through community volunteering and empowerment’.
I have over eleven years experience working in both governmental and non-governmental sectors within institutions such as ASCI, IIHMR, UNDP India and ministries implementing a number of projects in areas of capacity development, child health, and immunization. My areas of interest are non-communicable diseases, community health, and health system .
Q 6. Are you currently studying and if so what?
.No
Q 7. What value/s of The George Institute do you appreciate the most and why
I appreciate the George Institute values such as Humanitarian commitment, Creativity, ‘Can do’ approach and Emphasis on impact.
As a health Researcher, I always feel that we are working with a commitment to improve the health problems faced by the people who are homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged. We need to think and find creative ways in our work to tackle health problems. Can do attitude in us builds confidence by working on our goals all the time. The impact of our research work needs to have real consequences for vulnerable people who are chronically ill and disabled.
Q 8. Why do you enjoy working at The George Institute/George Clinical?
I enjoy working with the George Institute because TGI is world-class research centre in global heath, works to improve the health of millions of people worldwide and the Institute has been delivering high-impact evidence from a large program of research and innovation that has influenced health policy and healthcare practice worldwide.
Q 9. To unwind at the end of the day I….
I go for evening an walk for 10-20minutes and also do body stretchings after my work.
Q 10. My first job was….
My first Job was working as a Research Associate in a TB project titled ‘Gender Differentials in the utilization of Revised National TB Control Programme services in Andhra Pradesh, India’. This job was at Administrative Staff College of India(ASCI), Hyderabad.
Q 11. My biggest achievement so far…..
My biggest achievement is that I assisted in setting up a health research unit in the Provincial Health Department in Mongolia in 2008 and also trained staff of this health research unit in project management, conducting research studies and use of data for decision-making and planning.
