Our Leadership Team
Advancing public health through strong leadership
Dr. K.S. Purushothama Bhat
Dr. K.S. Purushothama Bhat is a highly distinguished psychiatrist and dedicated social activist who retired from the Kerala State Health Services after serving in several key leadership roles, including Deputy District Medical Officer, Resident Medical Officer, and Civil Surgeon. Notably, he served as the Health Nodal Officer for the Sabarimala Pilgrimage for many years, overseeing critical medical operations for millions of devotees. Throughout his career, he has been associated with prestigious institutions such as General Hospital Adoor, Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital in Kottarakkara, and Muthoot Medical Centre in Kozhenchery. Beyond his professional career, he is deeply committed to the rehabilitation of mentally challenged individuals and the destitute, providing expert care through numerous elderly and destitute homes such as Ashraya in Kalayapuram, Sanketham in Kottarakkara, and Gandhi Bhavan in Pathanapuram, blending his vast administrative experience with a lifelong mission of humanitarian service.
Dr. Rakesh PS (MD, PhD)
Dr. Rakesh PS (MD, PhD) has dedicated his life to a mission of service that began at age 15 when he received the Rashtrapati Scout Award from the President of India. A recognized public health intervention specialist and a medical doctor, he is a leading force in building resilient, sustainable health systems through community-driven innovation. With over 15 years of experience, including tenures at the World Health Organization (WHO) and The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), he has been a driving force behind major public health milestones.
He spearheaded the technical roadmap that led the Union Territory of Lakshadweep to be declared the first “TB Free” geography in a high-burden country. He is also the co-architect of innovative public health models such as STEPS (System for TB Elimination by Private Sector), vulnerability-based active surveillance, and women-led hypertension control initiatives in urban slums. His field expertise is deeply forged in crisis management; he has investigated and managed over 20 disease outbreaks and provided critical technical support for Kerala’s COVID-19 pandemic response.
Dr. Rakesh has been instrumental in pioneering local government stewardship in disease elimination and strengthening comprehensive lung health interventions at the primary care level. Additionally, he is serving as a consultant at UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) for supporting national governments in their efforts to end TB.
A Bernard Lown Scholar in Cardiovascular Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA, Dr. Rakesh holds an M.D. in Community Medicine from Christian Medical College, Vellore, and a PhD in Public Health. He is an action-researcher with over 130 scientific publications and has authored four community education book series.
Dr Shibu Balakrishnan
Dr Shibu Balakrishnan is a seasoned public health consultant with over 24 years of experience specializing in Tuberculosis elimination, private sector engagement, and health system strengthening. Since 2004, he has served as a Public Health Consultant for the World Health Organization’s Technical Support Network in India and served as National Professional Officer (Partnerships) at India office. He is widely recognized for developing innovative strategies in Kerala, such as the “Treatment Support Group Strategy,” which reduced treatment loss-to-follow-up to zero, and the “System for TB Elimination in Private Sector (STEPS),” which ensured 100% notification and adherence support in private facilities.
His extensive global expertise includes developing national TB acceleration and expansion plans for Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh between 2018 and 2020. He has led rapid assessments of electronic TB surveillance systems across 20 high-priority countries and evaluated Disbursal Linked Indicators for the World Bank. Currently, he serves as a member of the Technical Review Panel for The Global Fund and an international consultant for the Stop TB Partnership. Academically, he holds an MBBS, a Diploma in Anesthesiology, and an MBA in Health Care Services, with a prolific record of peer-reviewed publications.