Shyama Kuruvilla

Academic Foundation in Health Policy

Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla’s impactful career in global health is built upon a strong academic foundation. She holds a PhD in Health Policy from the prestigious London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). This institution is globally renowned for its research and postgraduate education in public and global health. Consequently, her doctoral training has equipped her with advanced skills in health systems analysis, policy development, and evidence-based decision-making. This rigorous academic background is fundamental to her ability to craft effective global health strategies and influence international health agendas. Therefore, her expertise directly contributes to shaping policies that impact populations worldwide.

Pivotal Roles and Contributions at the World Health Organization (WHO)

Throughout her career, **Shyama Kuruvilla** has held significant positions within the World Health Organization, making substantial contributions to global public health. Previously, she served as a senior scientist at WHO’s Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR). In this capacity, Dr. Kuruvilla engaged deeply in critical research and programmatic work. The RHR department plays a leading role in addressing sexual and reproductive health issues globally. Thus, her scientific contributions there were vital for advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes in this crucial area.

Currently, Dr. Kuruvilla holds the highly influential role of Senior Strategic Advisor in the Office of the WHO Director-General. This position places her at the heart of WHO’s strategic planning and decision-making processes. Moreover, she provides direct counsel to the Director-General on overarching global strategy narratives. Her work in this area is pivotal for ensuring that WHO’s initiatives are coherent, impactful, and effectively communicated to a global audience. For instance, her advisory capacity was instrumental in shaping the narrative for the landmark traditional medicine summit held in 2023. This event underscored the growing importance of integrating traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine into global health systems.

Leading Evidence Narratives and Authoring Influential Reports

A key aspect of Dr. **Shyama Kuruvilla**’s work involves her leadership in developing and communicating evidence narratives for high-level international summits. This critical function ensures that discussions and decisions at these global forums are informed by the best available research and data. By translating complex evidence into clear and compelling narratives, she helps policymakers and global leaders understand the implications of health challenges and the potential impact of various interventions. Her authorship of landmark reports, particularly in the areas of primary health care and maternal and child health, further demonstrates her expertise.

These reports often serve as foundational documents that guide policy development and resource allocation globally. Among her notable contributions, Dr. Kuruvilla co-authored the influential report ‘Success Factors for Women’s & Children’s Health’. This publication has likely provided critical insights into effective strategies for improving the health and well-being of these vulnerable populations. Therefore, her work directly contributes to advancing evidence-based practices in key areas of public health.

Global Perspective and Strategic Impact of Shyama Kuruvilla

Dr. **Shyama Kuruvilla**’s professional journey and contributions reflect a deep understanding of global health dynamics, with strong professional associations in India and Switzerland. This international experience undoubtedly enriches her perspective as a global health strategist. Her ability to synthesize complex information, guide strategic discussions at the highest levels of the WHO, and produce impactful reports underscores her significant role in shaping a healthier future for populations worldwide. The strategic advice she provides helps to ensure that global health initiatives are both evidence-based and effectively targeted. Consequently, her dedication to improving primary health care and maternal and child health continues to drive positive change on a global scale.

The focus on evidence and strategic narrative development by **Shyama Kuruvilla** is particularly crucial in the context of the 3rd World Congress on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (WCTCIM). The congress aims to strengthen global public health through TCIM, emphasizing knowledge diversity, well-being societies, and planetary health. Dr. Kuruvilla’s experience in building evidence narratives for global summits aligns perfectly with the congress’s objective to advance the integration of TCIM into global public health systems by fostering evidence-based research and policy innovation. Her insights into how traditional medicine was discussed at the 2023 summit, for example, could provide valuable lessons for the WCTCIM community.

Furthermore, her work on primary health care is highly relevant. Many TCIM modalities are delivered at the primary care level, and strengthening this interface is key to successful integration. The congress thematic axis “Integration of TCIM into Healthcare Systems: Bridging Traditions and Modern Care” directly speaks to the kind of strategic thinking Dr. Kuruvilla champions. Similarly, the axis “Evidence-Informed Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health: Grounding Wisdom in Research” resonates with her commitment to evidence-based approaches. As a global health strategist from the Office of the WHO Director-General, her participation as a speaker brings a high-level perspective that can significantly enrich the discussions and outcomes of the 3rd WCTCIM. The work of **Shyama Kuruvilla** in shaping global health narratives is vital. It ensures that initiatives like the WCTCIM gain broader understanding and support. Ultimately, this contributes to more holistic and effective healthcare systems worldwide.

Learn more about Shyama Kuruvilla’s publications and contributions through her ORCID profile: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0327-4467