Dr. Rakesh PS

Over the past 15 years, Dr. Rakesh has worked with governments, global institutions, academic organizations, and community systems across India and South-East Asia in the areas of tuberculosis elimination, infectious disease control, health systems strengthening, implementation science, and research-to-policy translation.

He has collaborated extensively with The Union, the World Health Organization, the Indian Medical Association, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, research institutions, and development partners on large-scale public health initiatives and implementation research across multiple countries. He previously served as Global Development and Grants Specialist at The Union.

Dr. Rakesh is recognized for developing innovative and context-sensitive public health approaches, including STEPS (System for TB Elimination by Private Sector), a widely adopted model for private-sector engagement in tuberculosis elimination. His work has also contributed to community-owned disease control systems, vulnerability-based surveillance strategies, community-wide systematic screening initiatives, and integrated lung health programs in resource-constrained settings.

His contributions supported Lakshadweep becoming India’s first TB-free geography and strengthened infectious disease preparedness and response during major public health emergencies, including the Kerala floods, the Nipah outbreak, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Rakesh completed his postgraduate training in Community Medicine from Christian Medical College, Vellore, where he was recognized as the Best Outgoing Postgraduate Student and received the Gold Medal from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University for academic excellence. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Health from Amity University.

A Bernard Lown Scholar in Cardiovascular Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dr. Rakesh has authored more than 140 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to policy briefs, technical guidance documents, and strategic frameworks influencing public health programs across multiple countries.

He is also the author of three community health education books with more than 40,000 copies in circulation, the technical memoir Outbreak Investigations: Diary of a Shoe Leather Epidemiologist on outbreak investigations and field epidemiology, and the literary non-fiction work Echoes from the Atoll: Inside India’s First TB-Free Islands.

Beyond research and public health practice, Dr. Rakesh is passionate about mentorship, health literacy, and community engagement. He is fondly remembered by many school children as “Doctor Grandpa,” the central character from his widely read community health education book series that has inspired health clubs, school competitions, skits, and health literacy initiatives across Kerala.

He has also maintained longstanding engagement in youth leadership and civic service. He served as Area Youth Representative of the India Area of Y’s Men International, held leadership roles in All Kerala Balajana Sakhyam, and later became State Secretary and President of the Kerala Medicos Association, where he organized the 23rd Inter Medicos Fest.

He is a recipient of the Rashtrapati Scout Award presented by the President of India for distinguished contributions to scouting and youth leadership.