Neha Rathore

Guna, Madhya Pradesh

Education: MPH, Tata Institute of Social Sciences

Last Employer: Manipal Cigna Health insurance

I graduated in dentistry from the Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical university and practised as a clinician for 3 years before realising that clinical practice made me serve just one patient at a time and didn ’t satisfy my hunger of contributing to large scale impact. This search led me to Tata Institute of Social Sciences where I pursued Masters in Public Health- Health Administration. My post-graduation enlightened me and gave direction to my goals by making me look at things from the social science perspective and adding a new gender lens to it. I developed a deep understanding of the public health system and the difficulties faced by the rural and tribal population in accessing healthcare during my internships under the Public Health Department of Government of Maharashtra and Jan Swasthya Sahyog, Chattisgarh. My experiences there made me realise that medical care alone isn ’t enough to improve the health of the population, and that social determinants of health should be worked upon for holistic and sustainable development.

This fellowship will give me a chance to learn various sectoral dynamics along with multi-disciplinary thematic areas working directly with district administration. The importance of a synergy between the Public Health and other development sector departments was quite evident in the COVID-19 pandemic and the strengthening of the public health system can be achieved through able guidance, which this fellowship would provide.