Parul Malik – Junior Public Health Professional

“As part of the student exchange programme of Prasanna School of Public Health, I completed Global Health (GH) Policy Analysis, GH Economics and GH Management modules from January to April 2019 at Maastricht University, Netherlands.
The experience proved intellectually and culturally enriching. Maastricht’s Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach encouraged critical thinking and collaborative engagement, while the exposure to diverse student perspectives deepened my understanding of global health challenges. The Policy Analysis module equipped me with frameworks to evaluate health interventions; the Economics module built my understanding of resource allocation and health financing; and the Management module developed my leadership skills and taught operational strategies essential for effective health programme delivery.
These competencies have directly shaped my professional journey – from strengthening immunization systems as a Surveillance Medical Officer with WHO, to supporting maternal and child health quality initiatives with India Health Action Trust, to coordinating district teams under a UNICEF-supported project. Currently, as a Junior Public Health Professional with the Global Leprosy Programme at WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, I draw on this foundation in country-level assessments, digital surveillance solutions, training materials and advocacy, thus bringing the systems thinking, analytical capabilities, and cross-disciplinary perspective cultivated at Maastricht University.
This opportunity provided by Prasanna School of Public Health and Maastricht University has helped strengthen my foundation in global health. The skills and perspectives gained during the exchange programme continue to inform my professional development.”

Dr. Parul Malik
Junior Public Health Professional
Global Leprosy Programme
World Health Organization | Regional Office for South-East Asia