Dr. Mangesh Gadhari is a public-health professional and medical specialist serving as a health specialist with UNICEF India, where he contributes to strengthening healthcare systems and advancing health outcomes for children, adolescents, and vulnerable communities. With more than 15 years of experience in public health, he has worked across maternal and child health, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCH+A), nutrition, health-system strengthening, and community-based interventions. His professional mission centers on translating public-health evidence into practical programs, strengthening institutional capacities, and improving access to quality healthcare for underserved populations.

Dr. Gadhari joined UNICEF’s public-health programs in 2011, initially working as a District Consultant for RMNCH+A and Nutrition in Maharashtra before taking on state-level responsibilities as an RMNCH+A Consultant. He subsequently served as Health Officer in the Northeast region and held health program responsibilities with UNICEF before assuming his current role as Health Specialist in 2023. These assignments have given him experience in coordinating with government departments, supporting program implementation, and strengthening health-service delivery across diverse regional contexts.

His work has encompassed initiatives to improve infection prevention and control, water, sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities, and biomedical waste management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was associated with efforts to strengthen infection-prevention systems in hospitals across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including staff capacity building, infrastructure support, and the development of standard operating procedures. More recently, he has advocated stronger attention to adolescent health, cervical cancer prevention, nutrition, and road safety, emphasizing the importance of awareness, early intervention, and evidence-based communication.

Academically, Dr. Gadhari holds an MD from Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. His professional approach combines medical expertise, program management, community engagement, and capacity building, with an emphasis on collaboration between government institutions, healthcare professionals, and development partners. Through his work with UNICEF, he continues to support efforts to strengthen public health systems and promote equitable health outcomes, particularly for children and adolescents. His career reflects a commitment to ensuring that public health initiatives translate into meaningful improvements in the health, well-being, and future opportunities of the communities they serve.