Richa Kumari

Public health professional (BDS, MPH) with over 4 years of experience leading health system strengthening, surveillance, and research initiatives across Jharkhand, Mizoram, and West Bengal. Proven expertise in program planning, large-scale implementation (PM-ABHIM, IHIP), and stakeholder engagement with government and development partners. Strong leadership experience in managing multidisciplinary teams, driving capacity-building initiatives, and enabling data-driven decision-making.

Adept at translating evidence into actionable strategies to strengthen primary healthcare systems and improve community health outcomes.

Project Research Scientist -II (Medical) - ICMR-BB Mentored, Model Rural Health Research Unit Namkum - Ranchi, Jharkhand

(2025-05 - 2026-05)

• Led and implemented community-based and epidemiological research projects on non-communicable diseases, reproductive tract infections, neglected tropical diseases (filariasis and leprosy), abortion care, and population-based health surveys.
• Co-author in the HPV research project proposal, contributed to study design and development of qualitative and quantitative tools.
• Co-author and led manuscript drafting and supported data analysis for a Reproductive Tract Infection study in adolescent.
• Led and mentored a team of 15 staff members at MRHRU; supervised field data collection, ensured quality control, and adherence to research protocols.
• Coordinated with local health authorities, state health departments, community stakeholders, healthcare providers, RIMS, and mentoring ICMR institute (RMRC) for effective research implementation.
• Developed research protocols, contributed to LRAC submissions, and supported ethical and regulatory documentation.
• Planned and managed collaborative research workshops under RMRC mentorship; participated in capacity-building training on STATA and qualitative research methodologies.

Program Officer – Health System Strengthening - JHPIEGO - Ranchi, Jharkhand

(2022-10 - 2023-10)

• Lead and provided technical support in the planning process, financial resource mapping and, operationalization of few components under PM-ABHIM & 15th Finance in Jharkhand.
• Developed relevant checklists and conducted a gap assessment of the existing infrastructure, human resources, and diagnostic capacities of the facilities for implementation of Block Public Health Units.
• Prepared a report on Block Public Health Unit based on gap assessment and budget estimate for equipment's.
• Supported the State in capturing the financial report on State's Program Monitoring System (PMS) portal and, 15th FC, PM-ABHIM and CPHC- State Program Implementation Plan (PIP) preparation.
• Additionally supported the team in Comprehensive Primary Health Care Project (CPHC), NQAS certification preparation of AB-HWCs and Oxygen Concentrator training of Community Health Officer.

Program Officer – Public Health Surveillance - JHPIEGO - Mizoram

(2021-08 - 2022-09)

• Lead the technology driven public health disease surveillance - Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) project implementation in Mizoram.
• Responsible for the program planning, implementation, analyzing surveillance, epidemiological, evaluating and updating surveillance systems data of IHIP.
• Facilitated and supervised the training, capacity building and providing technical assistance to the State/District Surveillance officers and Epidemiologists on IHIP, INSACOG -WGS Surveillance and IDSP program activities and supported in establishing the Integrated Public Health Laboratory in State.
• Supported and coordinated between country office and the State IDSP team and assisted in inter-sectoral coordination between key strategic stakeholders and potential vertical program as a key technical resource person.
• Additionally supported the AB-HWCs activities of NISHTHA project, NQAS certification process and, Family Planning assessment at AB-HWCs.

Project Officer - Operations - UNDP - Bankura, West Bengal

(2020-12 - 2021-07)

• Lead the eVIN project implementation in Bardhhaman Region of West Bengal.
• Liasoning with State and District government, training of District and Block officials, monitoring and evaluation of eVIN delivery in the region.
• Advocacy for digitalization of immunization supply-chain in the State.
• Administrative responsibilities while remotely managing a team of 7 UNDP employees stationed across 11 Districts in Bardhhaman Division.
• Responsible for the planning and implementation of CO-WIN - Covid19 Vaccination Program in Bardhhaman Region, West Bengal as the Regional Nodal Officer of the Program.

Clinical Associate - Dental Square (Private Clinic) - Ranchi

(2017-07 - 2017-12)

• Diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Scaling and root planning.
• Surgical extraction, Root canal treatment.

MPH - Public Health - Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (2018 - 2020)

BDS - Dental Surgery - Awadh Dental College and Hospital (2015 - 2015)

Class XII - DAV Kapildev Public School (2010 - 2010)

Class X - DAV Kapildev Public School (2008 - 2008)