Neeta Rao grew up in Mumbai, a city that exposed her to the societal disparities in different forms. While she was privileged to receive quality education and care, she observed how not many around her were as blessed. This led to a deeper inquiry into the reasons for the same, and what could be done to make this world a better place for everyone. This pursuit led her to a Master’s in Health Administration after studying Indian medicine, which exposed her to social determinants of health, political economy of health, policies and programs; and thereby broadened her understanding of health and equity issues.
Over the last 18+ years, she has constantly strived to apply her learnings and tried not to lose sight of ‘why’ she choses to work in the public health/development sector. She has been fortunate enough to work with diverse stakeholders including World Health Organisation, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, implementing and grassroots organisations, private sector, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). At USAID, in the past 11 years, she has focused on health systems strengthening, health financing, research and evaluation, policy, and program management.
