Current Position:
- Secretary, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
- Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) (ex officio)
Date of Appointment: October 7, 2022
🎓 Educational Background
Dr. Rajiv Bahl holds an MD in Pediatrics from the University of Delhi and a Ph.D. in Public Health. He has also been honored with an honorary doctorate by the University of Bergen in recognition of his contributions to global maternal and child health.
🌐 Professional Career
Before assuming charge as the head of ICMR and Secretary of the Department of Health Research, Dr. Bahl served at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva for over 15 years. At WHO, he was:
- Head of Research on Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing
- Responsible for high-impact public health research and policy development globally
- A key contributor to WHO’s guidelines on newborn and child health practices
Prior to his work at WHO, he was associated with research institutions in India, including AIIMS and ICMR centers, focusing on child health and nutrition.
📌 Role as Secretary (Health Research) and DG, ICMR
In his current dual role, Dr. Bahl is responsible for overseeing India’s medical and health research policy, setting the research agenda, and ensuring translation of scientific knowledge into public health solutions. He supervises the functioning of national research institutes, encourages indigenous innovation in diagnostics and vaccines, and promotes evidence-based policymaking.
🧬 Research Contributions
Dr. Bahl has published over 250 scientific papers and holds an H-index of over 75, placing him among the most influential global health researchers. His work has contributed to:
- Promotion of zinc therapy for childhood diarrhea
- Early initiation of breastfeeding practices
- Community-based neonatal care approaches
- Kangaroo Mother Care for preterm infants
- Global studies on neonatal mortality and maternal health
📝 Summary
Dr. Rajiv Bahl is a globally respected pediatrician, researcher, and public health leader. With decades of experience in international health research and policy, he is now spearheading India’s biomedical research ecosystem through ICMR and the Department of Health Research. His focus on translational research, health system strengthening, and innovation continues to shape India’s healthcare landscape.