Dr. Ramesh Kumar 


 Title   : Associate Professor    B-122 (First Floor)
  Disciplines:  Public Health, Health System research and Policy
   +92-51-9522290-4 ext.128
  Research Areas:   Planning & Programming, Management & Leadership: health and social sectors, Governance, Public-Private Partnership, Universal Health Coverage, Organizational and Project Management, Human Resource for Health, Appraisals, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research in Health, Community research trials, RCTs, MNCH, Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Aging, Hospital Infection control, RH and Child Health     +923009377486
  ramesh@hsa.edu.pk

A Health Systems Management & Governance Specialist with more than 15 years of experience and currently working as an Associate Professor at the Health System & Policy Department, HSA, Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan. Dr Kumar is especially well accepted to work with Governments and donors at senior/advisory levels. I have worked extensively with governments, private/NGO sector and the donor community including WHO, USAID, GIZ, UNICEF, UNODC, UNAIDS, UNFPA. His flagship work has become a cutting edge in the field and published 95 research papers in international and peer review Journals. He has solid background and knowledge in public health; Specialize in maternal child health and nutrition and social mobilization; Expertise in health system development and policy planning; Extensive experience in developing and testing infection control model. And experience in social mobilization. Dr Kumar has successfully awarded different grants like; TDR/WHO, USAID, NIH, CDC in the filed of public health.

  • PhD Public Health 

  • PG HRH MSPH 

  • Public Health 

  • MPhil Health Informatics 

  • MSc Community Health Nutrition 

  • MA Sociology 

  • MBBS

  • HEC recognized supervisor for PhD in Public Health 

  • CPSP recognized supervisor for FCPS community Medicine

  •  Supervise research for Doctoral and master level students 

  • Training 

  • Workshops 

  • Research 

  • Consultancies 

  • Policy Advice

  1. Kumar R. et al. Effectiveness of a health education intervention on the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets for the prevention of malaria in pregnant women of Pakistan: A Quasi-experimental study. BMC Malaria 2020,19,232:1-10.

  2. Mahmood T, Abbas F, Kumar R, Somrongthong R. Why under five children are stunted in Pakistan? A multilevel analysis of Punjab Multiple indicator Cluster Survey (MICS2014). BMC Public Health. 2020, 20:952:1-15.

  3. Ahmed J, Alam A, Khokhar S, Khowaja S, Kumar R, Greenow CR. Exploring women’s experience of healthcare use during pregnancy and childbirth to understand factors contributing to perinatal deaths in Pakistan: A qualitative study. PLoS ONE. 2020, 15(5): e0232823.

  4. Viwattanakulvanid P, Somrongthong R, Vankwani M, Kavita FN, Kumar R. Predictors and Level of Knowledge Regarding Parkinson’s Disease among Patients: A Cross‑sectional Study from Thailand. Int J Prev Medicine 2020, 11:25:1-5.

  5. Roonjha Q, Murtaza A, Kumar R, et al. Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice Regarding Breast Self-Examination by Lady Health Workers Working with Health Department Lasbela Balochistan    Pakistan. Lancet Public Health 2020 (preprint).

  6. Aqeel U, Kumar R, Ishfaque U. Cesarean-sections and early initiation of breast-feeding practices in tertiary care hospitals of Islamabad. J Pak Med Ass 2020, 70(12A): 2124-27.

  7. Javaid F, Sheerani NL, Haider S, Anwar F, Azad M, Kumari P, Kanwal S, Kumar R. Determinants of eating habits and physical activity among female students of government schools of urban city of Pakistan. JAMC 2020,32(4):1-6.

  8. Kumar R, Ahmed J, Anwar F, Somrongthong R. Availability of emergency obstetric and newborn care services at public health facilities of Sindh province in Pakistan. BMC Health Services Research. 2019,19:968:1-7. 

  9. Basharat S, Kumar R et al. Understanding regarding antibiotic resistance among health care professionals in government sector of tehsil gujar khan. J of Public Health 2019;3(9):144-48. 

  10. Kumar R, Abbas F, Tahir M, Somrongthong R. Prevalence and factors associated with underweight children: a population based subnational analysis from Pakistan. BMJ Open 2019;9:e28972. 

  11. S Dejvorakul, Kumar R, Srirojanakul S, Panupichit N & Somrongthong R. Factors predicted with quality of life among hemodialysis patients in private hospital of Thailand. Hospital Practice 2019:1-5. DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2019.1682879. 

  12. Nahrisah P,Plianbangchang S, Somrongthong R, Kumar R et al. Micronutrient intake and perceived barriers among anaemic pregnant women in Aceh, Indonesia. JAMC 2019;31(3):491-95. 

  13. Nazar M, Khan SA, Kumar R and Hafeez A. Effectiveness of health literacy intervention on cardiovascular diseases among university students of Pakistan. BMC Health Services Research. 2019,19:504:1-5. 

  14. Seangpraw K, Auttama N, Kumar R et al. Stress and associated risk factors among elderly: a cross-sectional study from rural Thailand. F1000 Res 2019. 

  15. Punta P, Somrongthong R, Kumar R. Factors influencing quality of life amongst elderly caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS in Phayao province, Thailand: a cross-sectional study. F1000 Res 2019;9(8):39. 

  16. Prabsangob K, Somrongthong R, Kumar R. Effectiveness of Self-Help Group Program for the Management of Type-2 Diabetes Patients in Rural Thailand. Pak J Nutrition. 2019; 18 (2) : 141-45. 

  17. Kanwal S, Kumar R, Somronthong R. Women’s preferences and factors influences the obstetric services among rural population of Sindh, Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc 2019; 69 (4):576-79. 

  18. Javaid M, Kumar R, Abbasi MMJ, Kiyani S, Kavita, Basharat S. Knowledge, Attitude & Practice regarding use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among Dental Assistants Working at Tertiary Care Hospitals of Multan, Pakistan. J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci 2019; 18(3):225-230.

  19. Eknithiset R, Somrongthong R and Kumar R. Factors Associated with Knowledge, Perception, and Practice Toward Self-care Among Elderly Patients suffering from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in rural Thailand. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad 2018;30(1):107-110. 

  20. Bunjitpimol P, Kumar R, Somrongthong R. Effectiveness of case based cultural competency among nurses working in private hospitals of Bangkok, Thailand: A Quasi-experimental study. Pak J Med Sci. 2018;34(1):179-184. 

  21. Kumar R, Somrongthong R, Ahmed J and Almarabheh AJ. Correlates of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices about Health Care Waste Management among hospital Workers of Pakistan. J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci. 2018;17(1):1-7.

  22.  Kessani L, Kumar R, Rathore A and Khalid R. Associated factors and compliance with iron-folic acid therapy among pregnant women of Karachi, Pakistan. RMJ. (2018); 43(2): 319-323. 

  23. Sand O, Kumar R, Shaikh TS, Somrogthong R and Hafeez A. Determinants of severe acute malnutrition among children under five years in a rural remote setting: A hospital based study from district Tharparkar-Sindh, Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2018;34(2):260-65. 

  24. Baqir M, Kumar R, Khushik A I. Hospital infection control practices among nursing staff working at tertiary care hospital of Khairpur Sindh. J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci. 2018;17(2):117-22. 

  25. Lal S, Kumar R, Lal M and Somrongthong R. Factors affecting delayed detection of pulmonary tuberculosis infection among patient reporting at institute of chest disease in rural Sindh Pakistan. RMJ. 2018; 43(3):547-52. 

  26. Prabsangob K, Somrongthong R, Kumar R. Health literacy among thai elderly population with type-2 diabetes living in rural area of Thailand. J of Public Health 2018; 8(1):27-31. 

  27. Yodmai K, Somrongthong R, Kumar R. Impact of the Economic deficits and the Quality of Life in elderly, Rural community, Khonkean Province, Thailand. J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci. 2018;17(3):180-4. 

  28. Thitipitchayanant K , Somrongthong R , Kumar R , Kanchanakharn N. Effectiveness of self-empowerment-affirmation-relaxation (Self-EAR) program for postpartum blues mothers:A randomize controlled trial. Pak J Med Sci. 2018;34(6):1-6. 

  29. Nooseisai M, Somrongthong R, Kumar R. et al. Psycho-social features, blood sugar, and quality of life among older female patients with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Bangkok, Thailand. RMJ. 2018; 43(4):638-42.

  30. Buriro NA, Mureed S, Kumar R, Ahmed F, Hussain K, Fatima A. Nurses’ Perception, Knowledge and Information Sources on Climate Change and Health at Dow University Hospital Karachi. J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci. 2018; 17(04): 265-71. doi: 10.22442/jlumhs.181740590.

  31.  Basheer S, Somrongthong R, Viwattanakulvanid P, & Kumar R. Factors influencing immunization coverage among children under 2 years of age in rural local government areas in Kebbi state, Nigeria. J of Public Health. 2018;8(4):206-12.

  32. Chawla N, Panza A, Sirikulchayanonta C, Kumar R and Taneepanichskul T. Effectiveness of a School-based Multicomponent Intervention on Children Nutritional Status among Primary School Children in Bangkok, Thailand. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad 2017;29(1): 13-20. 

  33. Wattanasoei S, Bison B, Kumar R, Somronthong R and Kanchanakhan N. Quality of life through listening music among elderly people in semi urban area Thailand. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad 2017;29(1): 21-25. 

  34. Qureshi MF, Rathore A, Seerani N, Qureshi S, Faisal B and Kumar R. Nutritional status among primary school going children living in urban area of Sindh Pakistan. J of Public Health 2017; 7(1):66-70. 

  35. Seangpraw K, Somrongthong R, Choowanthanapakorn M and Kumar R. The effect of sex education and life skills for preventive sexual risk behaviours among University of Students Thailand. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad 2017;29(4):540-46. 

  36. Munawar A, Kumar R et al. Women’s perception about quality of maternity care at tertiary care hospital of Karachi Pakistan. J of Public Health  2017; 7(2):91-112. 

  37. Memon A, Hamid S and Kumar R. Client satisfaction and decision making amongst female visiting family planning clinics of Hyderabad Pakistan. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad 2017;29(4):626-29. 

  38. Pummarak S, Somrongthong R and Kumar R. Exploring gait, balance performance and fear of falling among elderly people living in rural areas of Thailand. J of Public Health 2017; 7(3):142-45. 

  39. Syada RM, Quresh AH, Kumar R. et al. Assessment of Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) about worm infestation and deworming among mothers of children under-5years of age living in the slum of Islamabad Pakistan. Isra Medical Journal 2016; 8(1):19-23. 

  40. Wasim S, Rehman KU, Kumar R, Mahmood T. Hemozoin Enhances Maturation of Murine Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages and Myeloid Dendritic Cells. Iran J Immunol. 2016; 13(1):1-8. 

  41. Khawaja SA, Muhmmad AK, Khan SA, Kumar R. Perception and attitude of health workers about vulnerability of occupational exposure from blood borne pathogens . J of Public Health 2016; 6(1):1-3. 

  42. Azam A, Khan SA, Kumar R. Evaluation of dietary compliance and awareness in type 2 diabetic patients of district Sanghar Sindh. J of Public Health 2016; 6(1):4-7. 

  43. Hongthong D, Somrongthong R, Womgchaiya P and Kumar R. Factors predictive of alcohol consumption among elderly people in a rural community: a case study in Phayao province Thailand. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad 2016;28(2).237-240.

  44. Kumar R, Somrongthong R, Ahmed J. Impact of waste management training intervention on knowledge, attitude and practices of teaching hospital workers in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2016;32(3):1-6. 

  45. Kumar R, Somrongthong R, Ahmed J. Effect of medical waste management trainings on behavior change among doctors versus nurses and paramedical staff in Pakistan. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad 2016;28(3):493-96. 

  46. Chakrani KB, Mureed S, Kumar R. Perceived Social and Health problems in Nurses due to night duty at tertiary care hospital Kairpur Mirus, Sindh Pakistan. J of Public Health 2016; 6(2):27-31. 

  47. Ethisan P, Somronthong R, Ahmed J, Kumar R and Chapman Factors related to physical activity among the elderly population in rural Thailand. Journal of Primary care and Community Health 2016:1-6. 

  48. Khan EA, Sabeeh SM, Chaudhray MA, Yaqoob A, Rana SM and Kumar R. Healthcare waste management in Pakistan: A situation analysis and way forward. J of Public Health 2016; 6(3):35-43. 

  49. Durrani HM, Durrani SM and Kumar R. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents of Islamabad. A cross sectional study. Pediatrics and neonatal nurs open J 2016; 3(2): 34-37.

  50.  Zulfiqar A, Sathirakorn P, Kumar R, Gaffar A,Murred R and Safdar RM. Routine immunization statusamong children under 5 years of age living in rural district of Pakistan. International Journal of Health Research and innovation. 2015;3(2):13-20. 

  51. Kumar R,R, Shaikh.BT. Effectiveness of intensive healthcare waste management model among health professionals at teaching hospitals of Pakistan: Quasi-experimental study. BMC Health Services Research. 2015,15:81:1-7. 

  52. Noreen N, Kumar R and Shaikh BT. Knowledge about Hepatitis B vaccination among women of child bearing age in rural district of Punjab, Pakistan. East Meddit H J. 2015; 21(2):22-26. PMID: 25876824. 

  53. Kumar R, Shaikh BT, Somrongthong R, Chapman RS. Practices and challenges of infectious waste management: A qualitative descriptive study from tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci 2015;31(4):795-798.

  54. Ethisan P, Chapman R, Kumar R and Somrongthong R. Effectiveness of group mediated life style physical activity (GLPA) program for health benefit in physical activity among elderly people at rural Thailand. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad. 2015; 27(2):292-95. 

  55. Mureed S, Somrongthong.R, Kumar R. etal. Enhanced immunization coverage through interventions for childhood cluster diseases in developing countries: A systematic review. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2015;27(1):223-27. 

  56. Aziz I. Kumar R, Lal Manohar and Rathor  Working environment in job satisfaction among health professional working at tertiary care hospital of Pakistan. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2015;27(1):201-4.

  57.  Ghaffar A, Ghaffar N, Kumar R, Mureed S, Ali Z, Safdar RM, Kumar R. Assessing Risk factors for Hepatitis C in reproductive life of Women: A tertiary care hospital based case control study from Pakistan. Biomedica. 2015;31(2):99-103. 

  58. Bunjitpimol P, Somrongthong R and Kumar R. Factors affecting nursing cultural competency in private hospitals at Bangkok, Thailand. International Journal of Healthcare; 2015;2(1). 

  59. Khan Z, Khan SA, Kumar R. etal. Eating behaviour towards healthy food among students of Private Schools in Quetta, Pakistan. Pak J of Public Health. 2015; 5(1):1-5. 

  60. F, Khan.SA, Kumar R, et al. Assessment of completeness and timeliness of District Health Information System at first level care facilities of rural Sindh Pakistan. Pak J of Public Health 2015; 5(3):28-31. 

  61. Anwar F, Rizvi S, Khan AS and Kumar R. Case Study of District Health Information System performance from Punjab province of Pakistan. Pak J of Public Health 2015; 5(3):3-7. 

  62. Rehman SM, Hamid S, Kumar R, Batool M. Reason of blood transfusion in women delivered through cesarean section in a tertiary care hospital of Pakistan. J of Public Health 2015; 5(3):39-42. 

  63. Ali Z, Pongpanich S and Kumar R. Effectiveness of community service model for increasing routine immunization coverage at primary healthcare facilities in a rural district of Pakistan: A Quasi-experimental study. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad 2015; 27(4):853-57.

  64. Yodmai K,Phummark S, Kumar R and Somrongthong R. Quality of Life and fear of falling among an aging population in semi rural, Thailand. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad 2015; 27(4):771-74. 

  65. Bibi A, Ahmed J, Zaman T, Kumar R. et al. Perceived Quality of Pharmacy services among out patients of a tertiary care hospital of Islamabad. J of Public Health 2015; 5(4):21-25. 

  66. Rathore A, Khaskheli MN, Ahmed J, Qazi RA, Sikander R and Kumar R. Outcome of puerperal sepsis at a tertiary care hospital of Pakistan. J of Public Health 2015; 5(4):38-41.

  67.  Zamurrad A, Bajwa MH, Kumar R and Hamid S. Reproductive Health seeking behavior among 15-25 years aged married women living in slums of Islamabad Pakistan. J of Public Health 2015; 5(4):56-60.

  68.  Haq A, Durani HM, Kumar R. Recognizing the danger signs and health seeking behavior of mothers in childhood illness at Karachi, Pakistan. Universal Journal of Public Health. 2014; 2 (7):49-54. 

  69. Amjad A, Kumar R.et al. Socio- demographic factors and premenstrual Syndrome among women attending the hospital of Islamabad Pakistan. Journal of pioneering medical Sciences. 2014;4(4):165-68. 

  70. Kashif M, Kumar R.et al. Assessment of health workforce providing maternal neonatal child health services at primary health care level of Sanghar, Sindh. Pak J of Public Health. 2014; 4(1):20-23. 

  71. Bushra L, Qureshi.H, Kumar R. et al. Perceived Practices of Harassment in Nurses at their work place in Public & Private Health sector of Islamabad, Pakistan. Pak J of Public Health 2014; 2(4):4-7. 

  72. Kumar R, Ahmed J, Shaikh.BT.et al. The Human Resource Information System: A rapid appraisal of the tool of Pakistan’s capacity capacity to employ the tool. BMC J Medical Informatics and Decision Making. 2013, 13:104:1-6. PMID: 24016066 

  73. Anwar F, Kumar R, Sulaiman S, Dominic P. Health Informatics in Pakistan: Current scenario in Capacity Development for Health professionals. The Health. 2013; 4(4)36-39. 

  74. Kumar R, Ahmed J, Shaikh.BT.et al. Job satisfaction among public health professionals working in public sector: a cross sectional study from Pakistan. Human Resources for Health. 2013 11:2. PMID:23298253.

  75. Kumar R. Somrongthong R, Shaikh BT. Knowledge, Attitude And Practices Of Health Staff Regarding Infectious Waste Handling At Tertiary Care Health Facilities At Metropolitan City Of Pakistan. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad. 2013; 25(1-2):109-12. PMID:25098070. 

  76. Mateen A, Shaikh BT, Kumar  R. How accessible are the emergency obstetrics care services? A cross sectional study in district Neelum, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad. 2013; 25(1-2):194-97. PMID:25098094.

  77.  Kumar R, Gorar ZA, Ahmed J. et al. Assessment of Health care Waste Management practices and knowledge among health care workers working at tertiary care setting of Pakistan. Journal of Health Research. 2013; 27(4). 

  78. Ali M, Kumar R, et al. Environmental effects on acute respiratory infection in under five children living near brick kilns of rural sindh Pakistan. Pak J of Public Health. 2013; 3(1):9-11. 

  79. Durani HM, Kumar R.et al. WHO diabetic care guidelines: Knowledge and Practices of GPs in private practice Rawalpindi Pakistan. Pak J of Public Health. 2013; 3(2):19-22. 

  80. Hussain H, Kumar R. et al. Perceptions about measles among mothers living in rural area: A cross-sectional study at Larkana, Sindh. Pak J of Public Health. 2013; 3(2):2-5. 

  81. Ali Z, R.et al. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) Among Rural Population of Baluchistan, Pakistan. Pak J of Public Health. 2013; 3(4):11-14. 

  82. Nazim N, Kumar R. Incentives scheme can be both beneficial & counterproductive: a systematic review of efficacy and values of health workers’ incentives in health sector. Pak J of Public Health. 2013; 3(3):35-40. 

  83. Kumar R, et al. Role of Health Management Information System in disease reporting at a rural district of Sindh. Pak J of Public Health. 2012; 2(2):10-12. 

  84. Maher B, Kumar R. Rizvi N.et al. Quantity and Quality Of Information, Education & Communication During Antenatal Visit at Private and Public Sector Hospitals of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad. 2012; 24(3):71-74. PMID:24669615

  85. Gorar ZA, Muzhar S, Kumar R. Viral Hepatitis C, Looking through Health Systems Research Glass, Darkly. Pak J of Public Health. 2012; 2(3):15-19. 

  86. Kumar R, et al. Knowledge and Practices about dietary habits among hepatitis B and C patients attending two public sector hospitals at Islamabad. Isra Medical Journal. 2011;3(1):3-6.

  87.  Kumar R, et al. Assessment of Human Resource Data Management and its Use at Operational and Strategic Levels in Pakistan. Annals of Academy of Medicine, Singapore. 2012; 41(9):178. 

  88. Lohar MS, Kumar R et al. Effects of Harassment on health of women prisoners at a prison in Pakistan. Pak J of Public Health. 2012; 2(4):25-28. 

  89. Kumar R. “Job Satisfaction among Public Health Professionals in Pakistan”, LAP Lambert Academic Publishing Germany, 13th January 2012, ISBN: 978-3-8484-4828-9. 

  90. Kumar R, “Role of HMIS in disease reporting in Pakistan”, LAP Lambert Academic Publishing Germany, 13th January 2012, ISBN: 978-3-8473-4525-1. 

  91. Kumar R, “The rising trend of obesity in Pakistani Children”, LAP Lambert Academic Publishing Germany, 5th April 2012, ISBN: 978-3-8484-0975-4. 

  92. Bahalkani HA, Kumar R et al. Job Satisfaction In Nurses Working In Tertiary Level Care Health Settings Of Islamabad, Pakistan. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad. 2011; 23(3):130-3. PMID:23272454. 

  93. Shafique Y, Shaikh BT and Kumar R. Availability and affordability of essential medicines: Exploring the health seeking behaviours and health service utilization for children under 5 years living in squatter settlement of Karachi, Pakistan. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad. 2011; 23(1):132-38. PMID:22830168. 

  94. Kumar  R, et al. Healthcare Waste Management (HCWM) in Pakistan: Current Situation and Training Options. J Ayub Med Coll, Abbotabad 2010; 22(4):102-6. PMID:22455273.