Dr. Sonalini Khetrapal is a distinguished social sector and public health specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), recognised for her extensive contributions to health systems strengthening, policy innovation, and sustainable healthcare financing across South Asia. With nearly two decades of experience in international development, she has played a pivotal role in designing and implementing large-scale health sector programmes and lending operations that have advanced universal health coverage, strengthened institutional capacity, and improved service delivery for vulnerable populations. Her work reflects a deep commitment to building resilient, equitable, and people-centred healthcare systems that respond effectively to emerging public health challenges.

At ADB, Dr. Khetrapal has led strategic initiatives supporting national and regional health reforms, including ADB’s engagement with India’s National Urban Health Mission and the Health Systems Development Programme in Bhutan. Her expertise spans health policy, health financing, insurance models, workforce planning, and governance, enabling governments to modernise health systems and enhance preparedness for future pandemics and public health emergencies. She has also been instrumental in developing multi-billion-dollar financing frameworks and policy-based lending programmes that strengthen health infrastructure, promote innovation, and expand access to quality care across the region.

An accomplished academic and thought leader, Dr. Khetrapal holds a PhD in Health Economics and Policy from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and undergraduate degrees in engineering and economics from Cornell University. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, policy papers, and research studies on health systems, nutrition security, vaccination strategy, and social protection, contributing to global discourse on health reform and inclusive development.

Through her work with ADB and prior engagements with global development institutions including the World Bank and UNICEF, Dr. Khetrapal has consistently championed collaborative partnerships, innovative financing models, and evidence-based policymaking, reinforcing her reputation as a leading voice in advancing sustainable and transformative healthcare systems across Asia.