The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has appointed Prof. (Dr.) Soumya Swaminathan as the Principal Advisor at the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). This announcement was made on July 9, 2024, by the Press Information Bureau, Delhi. Prof. Swaminathan will serve in this role on a pro bono basis.
In her new position, Prof. Swaminathan will provide strategic and technical advice to the programme, aiming to accelerate the efforts towards eliminating tuberculosis (TB) in India. Her responsibilities will include guiding the overall strategy to achieve program goals, suggesting policy directions and necessary course corrections, and advising on the research strategy. Additionally, she will assist in forming expert groups with top global talent and support the Union Health Ministry, state officials, and development partners in assessing the programme’s impact.
She has previously served as the Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Her extensive background in health research and policy will be invaluable in driving the NTEP’s mission to eradicate TB in India.
