Biography

Anantha Kumar studied medicine at Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College in Karnataka, obtained a master’s degree in Hospital and Health Systems Management from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Rajasthan, completed a master’s in public health and a post graduate diploma in family medicine from the Christian Medical College in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, and a postgraduate diploma in Public Health Nutrition from the Indian Institute of Public Health in New Delhi. He currently is serving as Tutor for the Bengaluru wing of the Indian Institute of Public Health – Hyderabad, where he oversees the Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health Management. Dr. Kumar coordinates all aspects of the program including designing and preparing schedules, assisting faculty members with class preparation, coordinating access to course related study resources, teaching, and course evaluation.

Dr. Kumar has 5 years in the field of public health primarily working in the area of community health and capacity building. He served as Medical Officer on a USAID supported project, providing primary medical care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) for individuals living with HIV, and coordinating building capacity for prevention and care and support programs. He spearheaded the adoption of a public health integrated care strategy in which networking and capacity building activities were carried out for health workers, professional counselors and the primary care medical officers. Dr. Kumar also directed Community Health projects for the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) in Mysore, overseeing the Reproductive and Child Health projects including screening and management of gestational diabetes (with funding through the World Diabetes Foundation), and other prevention and care programs.

Project Title: Feasibility of involving Junior Health Assistants in community based diabetes risk assessment, screening for hypertension and NCD risk reduction counseling in H D Kote taluk of Mysore district.

Project Objective: To determine if using junior health assistants for assessment, screening and counseling is an effective means of improving risk for HT and NCD in rural areas.