I am a public health practitioner and researcher. I hold a PhD in Public Health from the School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape (UWC), South Africa (2020) and Post Graduate degrees in Public Health (UWC, South Africa) and Social Work (Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi). I have more than two decades experience on health policy, research and implementation at provincial, national and global levels, aimed at building pro-poor and equitable health systems. My focus has been on health inequalities and my areas of expertise include health systems, health financing, public health policy and programmes, health equity and access, human resources for health, primary health care, social and commercial determinants of health and global health governance. I have undertaken extensive research on how health systems could be improved and made more responsive and equitable in rural and ‘remote’ areas and towards vulnerable and marginalised communities. I have been involved in capacity building of public health professionals, civil society, community leaders, health workers, researchers and government particularly on health systems and policy issues and social accountability. I have experience of designing and implementing academic courses (online, distance learning and in-person courses).