Odisha-Cadre IAS Officer To Study Public Health At Harvard

Bhubaneswar: Mrinalini Darswal, a 2002-batch Odisha-cadre IAS officer, will soon be studying public healthcare to deal with the future pandemics at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH).

Having completed her master’s degree in economics from Austin, the doctor-turned-IAS officer has been selected for the Harvard Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) programme to prepare for high-level leadership to make a difference in public health and healthcare.

This is the highest degree in public health in the world and is awarded to just seven to 12 candidates every year.

“I shall learn how to address complex problems of public health policy and use advanced analytical and managerial tools to lead organizational and societal change,” Darswal was quoted by media as saying.

She has written research articles on ways to fight the coronavirus and applauded both the Odisha government and the Centre’s efforts to manage the crisis. “If people could bear the constraints of lockdown for some more time, the country could stop the transmission of the disease completely,” she added.

Currently, Darswal is posted as Special Resident Commissioner, Odisha Bhawan, New Delhi.

She had earlier served as Special Secretary, Health and Drugs Controller, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and Sambalpur collector in Odisha.