Chandrakant S. Pandav

Dr. Chandrakant S. Pandav, M.B.B.S., M.D., M.Sc., FNAMS, FIAPSM, FIPHA, is a Professor and Head of Centre for Community Medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.

Education

Dr. Pandav completed both his graduation (MBBS) and postgraduate (MD - Community Medicine) from the AIIMS, New Delhi. He has also done M.Sc. (Health Economics, Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics) from the McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. He is an alumnus of the "Department of Human Nutrition" at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in London, United Kingdom.

Contributions to medicine

Dr. Pandav has to his credit over 260 publications and presentations in reputed national and international journals, and in various conferences. He has also co-edited 13 books on health sciences and health economics, published by the Oxford University Press, India. He has also been conferred many national and international orations.

Dr. Pandav has worked as a consultant for the WHO, UNICEF, ICCIDD, PAMM and MI at the global, regional (including China, Africa) levels for over 50 countries, and also at the national level in India for the last 30 years.

Though Dr Pandav has been working in the areas of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) and micronutrients, his other interests include health economics, health policy, health systems research, public-private partnership and rights issues.

Community and National Programmes (National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Programme)

* Pioneered the Filter Paper Thyroxine Technique for estimation of TSH and T4 in cord blood samples in India, Bhutan and Nepal.
* Along with investigators from Japan, developed a rapid microplate based urinary iodine estimation procedure.
* Established the Micronutrient Laboratory at the Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; it is part of the Centers for Diseases Control (Atlanta) coordinated International Resource Laboratories for Iodine Network.

Community Intervention Trial

* International Multicentric Collaborative trial comparing intramuscular and oral preparations of iodized oil for prevention of IDD in endemic areas.

Operation Research

* Standardized national programme assessment and evaluation of IDD Elimination Progarmmes. Adopted and recommended by WHO/UNCIEF/ICCIDD worldwide.
* Developed methodologies for evaluation of economic implications of iodine deficiency disorders, and primary health care services in the country.

Policy and Programme Development

* Working in the field of IDD since 1978 at state, national, regional and global level.
* Development of national and international guidelines for epidemiological surveys, assessment, planning, management and implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
* Path-breaking research on endemic goiter in school children, and demonstrated iodine deficiency as a cause; this work led to the concept of ‘extra-Himalayan areas’ of endemic goiter, and eventually IDD was reported as a public health problem.
* Organized screening for neonatal hypothyroidism with the help of Traditional Birth Attendants; demonstrated the concept of ‘land to laboratory’.
* Participated in translating research in national policy for universal salt iodisation.
* Technical assistance for development of IEC campaign at the national level; resulted in the development of a national logo to eliminate IDD, which is being currently used.
* External independent programme evaluation at state and national level.
* Initiated and developed the concept of sustainability of IDD elimination.

Development of teaching material

* Developed written series of teaching material for different target audiences.
* Shared the honours of being ‘Best Teacher” at a course in Belgium.
* Medical Consultant to a film on IDD “The Barren Harvest” which won a National Special Jury Award at the 35th National Film Festival, New Delhi.
* Coordination of Urban Health Programme, and training of medical undergraduate and postgraduate students at AIIMS, including Health Economics.
* Member of the Dean’s Research Committee at the AIIMS.

As Member of Scientific Advisory Committees and Task Forces

* National Institute of Epidemiology, National AIDS Research Institute and Department of Science and Technology.
* Task Forces under the National Rural Health Mission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India – Medical Education, Indian Public Health Standards, Strategies for Urban Health Care, and Accreditation of Rural Medical/Health Practitioners.

Awards

In recognition of his contribution in the field of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), Dr. Pandav has been elected as a Fellow of many national and international organizations, the most notable being as a Fellow of National Academy of Medical Sciences. He has also received many national and international awards.

* Life Member of 21 National and International Organisations
* 14 National Awards, Fellowships, and Recognitions
* 08 International Awards, Fellowships, and Recognitions
* President – Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine (IAPSM)
* Vice-President – Indian Public Health Association (IPHA)
* Founder Member & Regional Coordinator, ICCIDD Since 1985