From AIIMS Professor to Key Figure in India's COVID Response: Who is Dr Vinod K Paul?

In a career spanning over four decades, Indian public health expert Dr Vinod K Paul has made a significant impact on global health discussions, particularly in the area of family and newborn health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently recognised his outstanding contribution to family health with the prestigious Ihsan Doğramacı Family Health Foundation Prize in 2018, making him the first Indian to receive this honour. Dr Paul's work has focused on improving the health and survival of women, newborns, and children, and he has been instrumental in establishing the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, a global health partnership aimed at improving health outcomes in these vulnerable groups. As a Member of NITI Aayog, he played a key role in several major public-health initiatives in India, including Ayushman Bharat and POSHAN Abhiyaan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Paul chaired the National Task Force on COVID-19, the Empowered Group on Vaccination, and the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19, placing him at the centre of India's pandemic response. His expertise in both clinical medicine and public health helped bridge the gap between scientific research and large-scale health policy, and his contributions have earned him global recognition. Dr Paul's career is a testament to the impact of Indian expertise on public health, both within the country and globally. His work has been widely recognised, and he continues to be a key figure in India's COVID-19 response and public health policymaking.