Professional Experience:
I am Dr. Aparna Sen Chaudhary, a passionate public health professional and medical doctor with over five years of experience in primary healthcare, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and health system strengthening. I serve as the National Lead for Tuberculosis at the Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence. I lead the development and implementation of AI-driven tuberculosis (TB) control strategies in India. My role involves collaborating with public health organisations, conducting training sessions for healthcare professionals, optimising AI models for TB detection and management, and contributing to policy formulation. I also oversee the integration of AI solutions within the national Ni-kshay portal and actively publish research on the transformative impact of AI in public health.
Before joining Wadhwani AI, I worked as a consultant with the World Health Organization's National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (WHO-NTEP) at both state and divisional levels. During this time, I provided technical support across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, spearheading the implementation of TB elimination activities. I also supported program activities through comprehensive surveillance, data validation, and analysis, enabling evidence-based policy-making. Additionally, I ensured the seamless integration of digital tools to enhance patient management systems.
Beyond TB elimination, my contributions as a researcher with the UNDP have allowed me to work on global health challenges. I developed investment cases and advocacy strategies for health interventions in multiple countries, focusing on tobacco control, non-communicable diseases, mental health, and air pollution. I was part of the team that created a COVID-19 and NCD vulnerability index and published extensively on healthcare system advancements.
My academic journey includes an MSc in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing from the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where I graduated with high merit for my thesis on inequalities in maternal and child healthcare utilization in India. I also hold an MD in Preventive and Social Medicine and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), both from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, where I gained first-hand experience in clinical care and public health interventions.
Throughout my career, I have honed my leadership and project management skills through roles in public health consulting, program implementation, and capacity building. I am proficient in using statistical software, conducting data analysis, and authoring scientific research. My collaborative work with governments, NGOs, and healthcare providers has been instrumental in advancing public health outcomes, particularly in TB elimination and infectious disease control. I am proud to have contributed to several peer-reviewed publications on healthcare financing and community-based disease prevention.
I am deeply committed to capacity-building initiatives and have organized training programs for healthcare practitioners on updated guidelines and advancements in TB and other public health areas. Conducting operational research to inform policy development and improve program outcomes has been a cornerstone of my work. To support my endeavours, I have completed numerous certifications in health economics, infectious disease modelling, and advanced TB diagnostics.
I am honored to be affiliated with prestigious organizations such as the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine, and the International Epidemiological Association.
My career reflects my unwavering dedication to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes, particularly for underserved and high-burden communities. I strive to create lasting impact and drive innovative solutions to public health challenges by leveraging technology and evidence-based interventions.