Dr. Oommen C. Kurian is a leading public health policy expert and development economist who serves as a senior fellow and head of the Health Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), New Delhi. With a strong foundation in economics and community health from Jawaharlal Nehru University, he has built a career at the intersection of health systems research, policy design, and sustainable development, focusing on improving access, financing, and governance structures within India’s healthcare ecosystem.

Over the years, Dr. Kurian has emerged as a prominent voice on universal health coverage, health equity, and data-driven policymaking, with his work examining national health reforms through the broader lens of the Sustainable Development Goals. His research and policy analysis have contributed to debates on public health financing, health sector transformation, and the role of technology and innovation in strengthening healthcare delivery systems.

Before joining ORF, he collaborated with several leading civil society and research organizations, including Oxfam India, ActionAid India, the Centre for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes (CEHAT), the Office of the Commissioners of the Supreme Court on the Right to Food Case, and academic institutions such as the Centre for Social Medicine & Community Health at JNU. His cross-sector experience has shaped his multidisciplinary perspective on healthcare, nutrition, gender, and poverty.

Dr. Kurian is widely published in policy reports, journals, and mainstream media, contributing to global discourse on health diplomacy, pandemic preparedness, and health systems resilience. He is also associated with international research collaborations and policy platforms, reflecting his commitment to evidence-based solutions that advance equitable and inclusive health outcomes across India and the Global South.