M.B.B.S., M.P.H., DrPH, ThYC. | sarwalr@gmail.com; +91-9013031950
Public Health practitioner, manager, researcher, policy adviser with a specialization in Yoga and Integrative Medicine.
Education
- Therapeutic Yoga Consultant, Yoga Certification Board, India based on 1600 hours of coursework and practice (2024 Certificate No. P230062467)
- Certificate Course in Essentials of Palliative Care, CCEPC (AIIMS, Delhi), 2023
- Doctor of Public Health: (Johns Hopkins University, 2005), USA
- Master of Public Health (Johns Hopkins University, 2003).
- Professional Course in Public Administration (LBSNAA, Mussoorie. 1988-1990)
- Course in Yoga Therapy and Teacher Training (2-month) at LBSNAA, 1988 by Divine Life Society Guru.
- Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, 1986). Registered to practice medicine in India (MCI, 8166, 24-7-1989 to date)
Professional Experience
- Public policy, program implementation (1988 to 2024).
◦ Additional Secretary (Health), NITI Aayog (5/2020-5/2022)
◦ Principal Secretary, Health, Tripura (8/2016-5/2018)
◦ Adviser (Health), Planning Commission (7/2011-6/15)
◦ Joint Secretary, AYUSH (8/2010 – 7/2011) - Working Director, Standing Research Committee, Indian Yoga Association (2024-)
- Promoter and Consultant, Sutra Health clinic, EQUAL Society, Faridabad
www.lifequality.org.in (2022 to date) - Practitioner of Yoga and Integrative Medicine (1988 to present)
Academic Experience
- Professor (adjunct), Department of Community Medicine & Integrated Health
Clinic, ESIC Medical College, Faridabad (04/2023 onwards) - Visiting Faculty, School of Public Health, AIIMS, Jodhpur (5/2023 onwards)
PUBLICATIONS: Details at ORCHID and Google Scholar (h-index: 14)
- Effect of pranayama on perceived stress, well-being and quality of life of frontline healthcare professionals on COVID-19 duty: A quasi-randomised clinical trial. International Journal of Psychology, 2024, May 29. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38808479/)
- Efficacy of pranayama in preventing COVID-19 in exposed healthcare
professionals: A quasi-randomized clinical trial. J. Ayurveda Integr Med, 2023 Jan- Feb;14(1) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35541985/) - AYUSH Research Portal: matching traditional Indian knowledge with modern
needs, Current Science, 202 (https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/121/06/0747.pdf) - Significance of AYUSH: India’s first line of defence against COVID-19, Journal of
Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2021.