Scientist Raghunath Anant Mashelkar Joins Board of ACCESS Health International



Distinguished Scientist Raghunath Anant Mashelkar Joins Board of ACCESS Health International

New Delhi. March 3, 2017. The Board of Directors of ACCESS Health International today, announced the appointment of a new director, Dr.Raghunath Anant Mashelkar. Dr.Mashelkar is one of India’s most distinguished scientists and a global leader on inclusive and frugal innovation, which is the use of cost effective engineering and technology solutions to create large scale social impact.

Photograph of Dr R A Mashelkar
Photograph of Dr R A Mashelkar


“Dr.Mashelkar is a true pioneer in science and technology and has played a critical role in shaping India’s approach to innovation,” said Dr. William A. Haseltine, President and Chairman of ACCESS Health International. “We are delighted to welcome him to our Board of Directors and are excited about the deep experience and expertise he brings to our global operations.”

ACCESS Health is an international think tank and advisory group that conducts practical research to improve health systems and healthcare delivery. The organization is focused on turning research into tangible healthcare improvements, fostering healthcare innovation, and elevating local knowledge and innovation to the global level, through unique partnerships and collaboratives.

Dr.Mashelkar currently serves as chairman of India’s National Innovation Foundation, the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, and the Reliance Innovation Council. He is also president of the Global Research Alliance, an international network of organizations that apply science and technology to solve large scale challenges facing developing countries. In India, Dr.Mashelkar served for more than a decade as director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, one of the world’s largest publicly funded industrial research and development institutions. He was also p resident of the Indian National Science Academy and of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (U.K.).

In 2014, the President of India awarded Dr.Mashelkar the second highest civilian honor, Padma Vibhushan, for his exceptional and distinguished service to the country. Throughout his career, he has received numerous other awards and distinctions, including being appointed International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and receiving the BusinessWeek Star of Asia from former United States President George H. W. Bush.

About ACCESS Health International

Six years ago, ACCESS Health International began work in India to identify good practices in high quality and low cost healthcare. ACCESS Health has expanded its work in India to support the expansion of good practices through close collaboration with governments and the private sector. Today, ACCESS Health India focuses on advancing healthcare finance systems and understanding how these systems can improve the quality of healthcare services. The best healthcare finance and delivery systems in India can serve as models, both within the country and abroad. ACCESS Health India designs and manages programs and projects that drive and inspire improvements in healthcare in other countries.

ACCESS Health International, Inc. is a nonprofit think tank and advisory group with a mission to improve access to high quality, affordable healthcare for people everywhere. ACCESS Health partners across sectors in low, middle, and high income countries to drive innovation in healthcare finance, delivery systems, quality and process improvement, training, and business engagement. For more information about ACCESS Health International, please visit www.accessh.org.