Somaiya Vidyavihar University, a multidisciplinary institution with an 80-year legacy under the Somaiya Trust, committed to fostering academic excellence and thought leadership, recently hosted a public lecture by Dr. Soumya Swaminathan on “Global & Indian Policies on Epidemic Prevention.” Dr. Swaminathan, a distinguished pediatrician and expert in tuberculosis and HIV, brings over 30 years of experience in clinical care, research, and public health. Having previously served as the Chief Scientist at the WHO and the Director General of ICMR, she led the Science Division to advance research, quality standards, and digital health. With more than 450 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Swaminathan is a Fellow of the US National Academy of Medicine, the UK’s Academy of Medical Sciences, and several major Indian science academies. She currently serves on global advisory boards and holds adjunct professorships at Karolinska University and Tufts University.
As part of the Somaiya Public Lecture Series, the lecture began with an opening address by Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice Chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University. Distinguished guests at the event included Dr. Samir Joshi, Dean of K J Somaiya Medical College & Research Centre, and Trustee, Smt. Pratima Ben Thakkar, Dr. Vivek Sunnpawar, Principal, K J Somaiya Institute of Technology and Head of the departments of K J Somaiya Medical College & Research Centre.
Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice Chancellor highlighted the institution’s commitment to education, research, and societal progress, saying, “At Somaiya Vidyavihar University, we believe that education and health are the foundations of a strong society. When we invest in these, everything else follows. Our lecture series is a flagship initiative, bringing together eminent researchers and scientists to share insights on contemporary issues, scientific advancements, and global challenges.” He further added, “We are honored to host Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, whose contributions as a medical researcher and former WHO scientist have shaped global health policy. She also continues the legacy of her father, Bharat Ratna Professor M. S. Swaminathan, the father of India’s Green Revolution. As the nation marks his 100th birth anniversary, we look forward to collaborating with the M. S. Swaminathan Foundation to celebrate his contributions.”
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan began her lecture by illustrating how simple, cost-effective interventions can have a profound impact on public health. She shared the example of Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), which were highly effective during the cholera outbreaks in Bangladesh. Dr. Mahalanobis, recognizing the challenge of administering IV fluids to thousands of children suffering from diarrhea in camps, developed a simple solution of salt, sugar, and water. This intervention dramatically reduced mortality rates. Dr. Swaminathan emphasized that such basic yet powerful solutions, alongside vaccines, represent some of the greatest advances in saving lives. She further noted that many everyday health issues in India are linked to poverty, undernutrition, and poor health-seeking practices, especially in remote rural and tribal areas, where superstition and low health literacy prevail.
In her lecture, Dr. Swaminathan also discussed India’s immense untapped potential in medical and health research, particularly through its extensive network of medical colleges. With one of the world’s largest clinical populations, India offers unparalleled opportunities for clinical learning and research. However, she pointed out that the major challenge lies in systematic data collection and documentation. She emphasized that research is fundamentally about analyzing everyday data, and while advanced equipment is useful, it is not always necessary. Some of the most impactful studies come from keen observation, structured data collection, hypothesis testing, and the development of cost-effective, context-specific interventions.
Dr. Swaminathan said, “The WHO’s Disease Outbreak Notice (DON) is sent globally to countries, guiding their actions in response to outbreaks. Created in 2005 after the SARS-1 epidemic, the International Health Regulations set rules for reporting notifiable diseases. Although modified in 2024 after the pandemic, the WHO cannot collect data directly; it relies on the 194 member states to report and follow these guidelines, with decisions made by consensus at the World Health Assembly.”
She also shared insights from her experience at the WHO during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, discussing the importance of global surveillance and data sharing in responding to novel pathogens. Dr. Swaminathan highlighted how global collaboration, rapid data collection, and transparent communication were crucial in developing diagnostic protocols and supporting the early identification of COVID-19 cases, including the first case detected in India in January 2020.
She added, “Pandemics remind us that public health is a collective responsibility. The strength of our response lies not just in vaccines or treatments but in the trust we build within our communities, the resilience of our health systems, and the unity with which we face challenges together. We cannot see pandemics in isolation. We have to see it in the context of the health system and how we live and how we deliver our health care.”
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, where students and faculty explored the challenges of epidemic prevention, vaccine equity, and India’s preparedness for future pandemics.
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