FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE HEALTH INDIA
Building Healthy CommunitiesAbout us
The Foundation for Sustainable Health India (FSHI) is a Bengaluru-based non-profit organization that evolved from the Consortium For Tobacco-Free Karnataka (CFTFK). CFTFK was conceived by Dr Ramesh Bilimaga (Bengaluru Institute of Oncology), Dr Pratima Murthy (NIMAHNS), and Mr S J Chander (SOCHARA) in 2000.
The goal of CFTFK is to protect people in general and especially children and youth from ill effects caused by tobacco consumption, as well as stage resistance for tobacco processing and cultivation. The safeguarding of children from the harmful effects of tobacco is the need of the hour Since its inception, CFTFK has carried out public awareness programmes in this regard in many parts of Karnataka and advocated policy to the state government for framing laws and planning strategic programmes. After having worked as an informal coalition, CFTFK was registered on 13th March 2019. Within a year of registration, the board felt the need to rebrand itself to widen the scope of the work The reason for widening our field of activity was also due to continuous input from the parents to include other adolescent issues. Thus, the Foundation for Sustainable Health India (FSHI) emerged in 2020 and CFTFK became an initiative under the FSHI umbrella.
We are a team of professionals in the fields of health and education with domain expertise in Public Health, Health Management, Psychiatry, Oncology, Dentistry, and School Education. Besides the focus on issues concerning adolescents, we aim to create solutions to other public health problems and concerns of key community stakeholders across the country based on evidence and their participation. We believe in partnering with both government and private agencies to strengthen the existing health care delivery system.
Vision
Empowering to live a full life with healthy a lifestyle in a healthy environment
Mission
To foster and support health advocates from all sections of society in a collective effort to set feasible and relevant examples of healthy living.
Our Objectives
- Create awareness on public health issues of concern to society.
- Initiate action on health problems and the needs of society in collaboration with all stakeholders.
- Undertake research on public health issues of concern.
- Engage in policy advocacy for equitable and need-based public health services
- Address adolescent health issues through school-based initiatives.
- Build a coalition of individuals and institutions under the Consortium for Tobacco-Free Karnataka to undertake tobacco free initiatives.
Our Values
AIMS (Accountability, Integrity, Meticulousness, and Synergistic)
- Accountability: We strive to maintain the highest standards of accountability in every area of work, personal and public life. We put systems in place to check out accountability.
- Integrity: We conduct ourselves in a way our words and actions are cohesive and be always truthful in all matters.
- Meticulousness: We will never act in haste; we will investigate all matters with minute details and act wisely in ways to enable justice to prevail.
- Synergistic: We believe in working together in partnership with all stakeholders who are genuinely concerned to achieve better and greater results.
Governing Board
Dr. Ramesh Bilimagga
President
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Prof. Ramesh Bilimaga, is a leading Radiation Oncologist with an experience of 40 years in radio oncology. He has completed his M.D. in Radiotherapy from Bangalore Medical College in the year 1982. Further he has received training in Nuclear Medicine from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay. He was a clinical observer in International Hospitals such as Norfolk Medical School, Virginia, USA; UCLA, California, USA; Long Beach Memorial Hospital, USA; Mount Sanai Hospital, Baltimore, USA. He is a certified Cyber Knife Trained professional by Accuracy, U.S.A. apart from his field of expertise he has served as President of IMA Karnataka and Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences as syndicate member. Currently he is functioning as the Executive Director of HCG Group of hospitals. Dr. Ramesh was one of founding members of Consortium for Tobacco Free Karnataka.
Mr. S J Chander
Secretary & CEO
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Mr. S J Chander a Public Health Professional primarily engaged in the voluntary sector. He holds M. Phil in Sociology and PG Diploma in Community Health Management from Christian Medical College, Vellore. He has more than 25 years of experience in addressing various public health issues as a trainer, researcher, policy advocate and program management. Tobacco Control is one of his passions and he is keen to address the issues with children, youth and public at large. He has been part of many awareness campaigns targeted for children and youth. He has personally reached out to thousands of students by imparting lessons on life skills. He has been working for tobacco control since last 20 years. He has participated at the Global Tobacco Control Conference in Cape Town, South Africa and was a panellist in two panel discussions held at the Asia Pacific Tobacco Conference in Indonesia. He is one of the founding members of Consortium for Tobacco-Free Karnataka (CFTFK) and FSHI and is currently the Operations Head of Maya Health.
Dr. I B Vijayalakshmi
Vice President
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Dr. I.B. Vijayalakshmi, MD, DM, DSc. FICC, FIAMS, FIAE, FCSI, FICP, FAMS, FISH, RCP(London) First lady Cardiologist and first one to start Paediatric Cardiology department in Karnataka. She has served as Professor and HOD of Paediatric Cardiology, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru. She is a has been a brilliant student and exceptional academician and professional. She is recipient of Gold medal for her MD, and has further bagged 37 gold medals and 3 silver medals She has delivered 27 prestigious orations and has received 54 awards including Rajyotsava Award, Lifetime Achievement Award from Bharat Ratna Abdul Kalamji and Former President Smt Pratibha Patil. Currently, she is a Prof Emeritus, Victoria Super Specialty Hospital, Bangalore.
Dr. Pratima Murthy
Co-Founder
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Prof. Pratima Murthy is a Psychiatrist and Director at NIMHANS. She completed her MBBS from Bangalore Medical College and pursued her Diploma and MD in Psychiatry from NIMHANS. She has made substantial contribution towards development of National guidelines for tobacco cessation. She also has been part of creation of training manuals developed by the WHO and Government of India on tobacco cessation for WHO SEARO as well as tobacco and alcohol prevention in non-communicable disease programs. She is consultant to WHO Geneva and to the International Telecommunications Union for cessation of tobacco and has helped to develop the protocol for cessation in India. She has headed the Centre for Addiction Medicine for many years and is the lead for the Tobacco Quitline at NIMHANS. She has been one of the founding members of the Consortium for Tobacco Free Karnataka (CFTFK).
Dr.C.Sheshgiri
Treasurer
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Dr. C. Sheshgiri holds MBBS, MS (Anat) degrees and many fellowships. Presently he is the director at TRR Institute of Medical Sciences, Telangana.He has served as professor, Dean and Joint Director, WIMS, Kerala, President IMA Bangalore and Senate member of RGUHS. He is recipient of many awards and accolades. He has proved his mettle as an excellent academician, efficient administrator, inspiring leader and affable mentor. He has a track record of approximately 35 years of glowing teaching experience and grooming thousands of undergraduates and many Postgraduate medical students. He is quite vocal about some of the issues affecting youth such as substance abuse, alcoholism, ragging and other evil practices.
Dr. Sathyanarayana T
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Dr Sathya brings 21 years of experiences. His expertise is in public health research, teaching and program management. His core skills are in health policy analysis, teaching, research, and advocacy initiative with a focus on health system issues. He has played an important role in drafting Karnataka Public Health Policy-2017; Karnataka, Vision Document – Health & Nutrition-2017, National Dementia Strategic Plan-2018, Karnataka Nutrition Policy Review; and he has initiated good health at low cost-health innovations lab. He has also played a critical role in promoting DNB courses in district hospitals in India which is now made a national policy; and in establishing Indian Institute of Public Health-Bangalore Campus-India. Dr. Sathya is also a passionate public health photographer/documentary filmmaker. His current focus is on technology-driven innovations in the field of public health and wider application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the health ecosystem involving stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. The aim is to leverage learning to accelerate impact and transform the provision of healthcare services in resource-poor settings to realize the full potential of AI for improving the health status of the population.
Rtn.Dr.Shobha.G
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Rtn. Dr.Shobha.G M.Sc, Ph.D–
Director, Department of Collegiate Education, Bangalore.
Dr.Shobha. G is a gold medallist in M.Sc from Bangalore University. She has done her Doctoral research in Human Development on the topic “Traditional Vs Progressive Approaches in school Education”. She has 28 years of teaching experience both at the undergraduate and post graduate levels and has guided several post graduate projects on various research topics. Dr.Shobha is the proud recipient of prestigious awards like Susheela Lingaiah Gold Medal, Jawaharlal Nehru memorial award, Vikas Prerak Sanman, Shiksha rattan Puraskar from IIFS, New Delhi, Parimala Puraskar, Rotary Women Achiever Award 2016 etc for the community services rendered.
She is a regular columnist in the newspapers Vijaya karnataka and Prajavani and given several programs on Television- Doordarshan Chandana, Udaya TV, janasri, Sankara, TV 9 and other channels on Parenting, Education, Healthy eating, Health and Fitness, Adolescent Issues, Study habits, counseling etc. She has anchored several government, non-government programs and conferences. She is a member of various professional bodies and an advisor for several organizations.
FSHI Society Members
Dr. Uma Sheshgiri
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Dr Uma Sheshgiri. MBBS, DGO, MD, is a consultant in Obstetrics and gynaecology. She has served the state government in various posts and has retired as superintendent of K R Puram General hospital. She has also held various posts in IMA Bengaluru. She was the president of IMA for 2 years. She is at present the chairperson for IMA AMS. She is the recipient of the following awards: B C Roy Award by Bengaluru branch, State awards; Best President of IMA in 2014, Best Scientific Sessions in 2014, Prestigious B C Roy Award 2016, Her National Awards are: Best Scientific Session Award in 2014, Award for
inducting maximum number of members. Best Lady Giants’ group in 2001. She is a life member of BSOG, FOGSI and IMA.
Dr. K Pushpanjali
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Dr.K. Pushpanjali, presently works as a Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. She is an accomplished academician with over 3 decades of experience. She has secured distinction in the subject of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, 3rd BDS. He doctoral theses was on Situation analysis of infection control and waste management practices and to evolve implementation strategies for best practices among dental establishments of Bangalore city. She has published several articles many reputed journals. She has held several important key positions in national level conferences and associations. She won the Women Achiever Award for the year 2013 conferred by the Management GEF, Medical.
Dr. Bishwamitra Sahu
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Dr Biswamitra Sahu Holds PhD, Demography, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; MPhil, Population Studies, International Institute of Population Sciences, Mumbai; MA in Sociology, University of Hyderabad. Dr Sahu’s research is primarily cantered in the domain of social determinants of health, specifically, intersectionality of health outcomes on the health status of women and minorities. In her doctoral research, she explored the reproductive behaviour of Muslims and Hindus in India and Bangladesh. She has also developed a short course in qualitative research methods. She has published a book and a few research articles in internationally acclaimed demography and human geography journals. She has been recipient of The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research Grant (NWOWotro: 2006-2009), HERA Fellowship (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the Netherlands: 2004-2005) and Government of India Fellowship (MOHFW: 2002-2003). Currently she is a faculty with IIPH Bangalore chapter.
Mr. D Shashi Kumar
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Mr. D Shashi Kumar, An Educationist and holding the following prestigious positions: Secretary: New Blossoms Education Society. (Innovative & Unique School), Karnataka Youth Welfare Association. (A Voluntary Organisation), Advisor &
Patron: Bliss Society (A Voluntary Parents Organisation), General Secretary: Associated Managements of Private, Primary & Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), Independent; Advisory Member of NISA (National Independence Schools Alliance). He has a passionate about literature, music, and culture. He is staunch supporter of Indian values and traditions. He is a social activist and has organized Brashtachara Nirmulana Karyagara, Environmental Protection Program, Awareness on Crime, and importance of social responsibility (through “Cast Vote – Gain Mark.” Campaign)
Dr. Umashankar
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Dr.Umashankar Subramanian is an Entrepreneur, Academician, and an Administrator. Adept at strategically identifying, designing and implementing public health programs, organizational development, team building and project execution. Public health informatics specialist with specialization in global health informatics. Seventeen years of experience in clinical and public health.
Graduated BHMS from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore and master’s in public health from University of South Florida, Tampa, USA. Has co-founded companies and not for profit organizations. Designed and implemented more than 30 public health projects in the field of public health informatics, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, breast and cervical cancer, nutrition, road traffic accidents, solid waste management etc. Has also designed healthcare platform, COVID 19 Screening app and advised many companies for healthcare software.
Dr Anupama Deshmukh
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DR ANUPAMA DESHMUKH, is an academician, clinician, researcher, public health professional with an experience of 25 years and working as a Professor & HOD, Department of community medicine, Bhagawan Buddha Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru. She graduated as a topper from HKE’s Homoeopathic Medical College, Gulbarga, Gulbarga University and pursued MD from Maharashtra University of health sciences and PGCHFWM [Postgraduate certificate in health & Family welfare management from NIHFW, MOHFW, New Delhi]. She’s a life member of Karnataka Qualified Homoeopathic Doctors’ Association. She was a member of faculty of homoeopathy, RGUHS for 2 terms.
She has published many homoeopathic scientific papers in peer reviewed journals.
She has been a resource person for various programmes sponsored by Department of AYUSH, Government of Karnataka & Government of India. Her main strength is IEC activities, planning & implantation of community health programmes. She has been a Co-ordinator for programs like homoeopathy for mother and child health care, nutrition, environmental sanitation, adolescent mental health, disaster management, covid 19 prevention etc. She’s passionate about music and Kannada literature.
Dr. Manjunath P Puranik
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Dr Manjunath P Puranik, Currently working as Professor & Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Fort, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. He is an accomplished academician with a long track record since 1999. His contributions include, writing of textbooks, peer reviews, publications etc. He has been a member and held important key positions in many professional associations and committees at sub national and national levels. He Served as Member, Committee for Oral Health Policy in Karnataka, PG Board of Studites at RGUHS. He is currently the president of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry (2022-23). He served as core member for WHO-SEARO-GOI Project on ‘Oral health promotion through integration of oral health into general health. Amidst such high-level academic commitments, he never lost sight of the poor and needy. He Conducted numerous dental health programs in and around Bangalore City for School children, Slum dwellers, Aged and needy.
Associates
Dr. Anupama Shetty
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Dr Anupama Shetty is currently overseeing CSR activities for Biocon India Ltd. She is a physician with a Master’s in Hospital Administration and has secured PhD in Health Systems Studies from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Her work revolves around strategic change in healthcare organizations, accreditation, and safety culture with a focus on complex adaptive systems. Her experience as physician, administrator, and researcher, have empowered her in analysing CSR activities from a deeper perspective, combining a systems-based approach with a focus on scalability and sustainability of interventions.
Prof. Ashok R Patil
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Prof. Dr. Ashok R. Patil, Chair Professor, Chair of Consumer Law and Practice, Coordinator, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and NIRF (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India) Prof Patil holds B.Sc. (Criminology & Forensic Science) (1993); LLB(1996); LL.M.(Mercantile Law) (1998) with First Rank; Ph.D.(2006); National Eligibility Test (NET); Diploma in Computer Application; NCC “C” Certificate; NSS Certificate; Accredited Mediator.
Prior to joining the National Law School India University, Prof Patil practiced as an advocate at High Court of Karnataka and taught law at KLES B.V. Bellad Law College, Belgaum as a principal. He has published several articled in national and international journal and presented papers too at several national and international conferences. In 2013 Has had received the prestigious National Award “legal education innovation award. In 2014 he received the International Mac Jannet Award’ at Cape Town, South Africa.
Dr. V Ranganath
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Dr. V Ranganath is a well-known dental surgeon based in Bangalore who specializes in dental implant fixing (oral implantology) .. He completed his BDS from Dr. B R Ambedkar Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital after which he pursued his MDS – in Periodontology and Oral Implantology in the same institution. He has over 21 years of experience in the field. Dr. V Ranganath currently works at Maruthi Dental College as Professor & Hod, Department Of Periodontics. Dr. V Ranganath specializes in Crowns and Bridges Fixing, Complete/Partial Denture Fixing, Teeth Whitening, Dental Implant Fixing, Impaction / Impacted Tooth Extraction and Tooth Extraction. He is currently the President of Karnataka State Dental Council.
Mr Karthik D
Advisor Media
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Mr. Karthik D, Senior Journalist/Media Consultant has more than a decade of experience in print and online journalism. He started his career as Reporter/Sub-Editor with the evening daily Bangalore Beat in 2010. in 2011 he moved on to The New Indian Express where he highlighted various issues relating to health, culture, water woes and civic issues. He worked as Editorial Lead for the health website LifeView, where he wrote extensively on healthcare related issues. At Deccan Chronicle, he wrote on the civic, environment, infrastructure, and waste management issues that were of concern to the citizens of Bengaluru. He has the credit of covering general elections, state elections, Aero Shows, Bangalore Literature Festival, budgets etc.
In 2020, as a Media Consultant with a Bangalore based nongovernmental organization, he was instrumental in getting the Vendor Licensing that mandates the sale of tobacco only through a license. He played a pivotal role in getting media attention on tobacco control policy related issues, developing campaigns, and countering the false narrative of the tobacco industry. He undertook media advocacy for the COTPA amendment, Tobacco Taxation, Removal of Designated Smoking Areas and other tobacco control activities. He is currently working as a Principal Correspondent with The New Indian Express focusing on the health and mobility sector.
Dr S U Sahayaraj
Consultant Mental Health
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Dr. S. UBAHARA SAHAYARAJ, completed M.A (M&P-Social Work)., M.Phil and Ph.D (NIMHANS). He has sixteen years of work experience in the area of Mental Health, Addiction, and in particular working with young people with addiction and treatment; family; Women and children, out of which he has 12 years of Teaching, Service and Research experience from the Department of Psychiatric Social Work and Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS.
He is one of the Institute Ethics Committee Members of The Oxford Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Bangalore. Expert Committee Member for the Development of Course and Curriculum-M.Phil. Clinical, Social Work, at Department of Community Medicine, Government Stanley Medical College Hospital Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Editorial Board Member in the International Journal of Paediatric Nursing (IJPEN) ISSN: 2454-9126, Red Flower Publication Pvt. Ltd, Delhi.
Ms. Sunitha Chander
Consultant Health Promotion
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Sunitha Chander, a registered nurse with a PG Diploma in Health care and Hospital Management, has an extensive experience in School Health Management, Capacity Building and Geriatric Care. She Held various senior positions at Addresshealth India Pvt Ltd since 2010 till 2021. Her clinical experience was from Sri Krishna Sevasharma Hospital, Bangalore, 55 bedded Hospital and Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre, Bannerghatta Road, 9th block Jayanagar, Bangalore with 1000 beds from 2005-2008. Her latest assignment was in Initiating and implementing the Elder Support Health Assistant (ESHA) workers in an urban poor setting in Bangalore. The ESHA workers catered to the physical, mental and emotional health needs to more than 500 urban poor elderly.
Executive Team
S J Chander
Public Health Professional engaged in the voluntary sector. He holds M. Phil in Sociology and PG Diploma in Community Health Management from Christian Medical College, Vellore. He has more than 25 years of experience in addressing various public health issues as a trainer, researcher, and policy advocate. Tobacco control is one of his passions and he loves to address the issues with children and youth.
Dr.U Sahayaraj
He has completed M.A (M&P-Social Work)., M.Phil and Ph.D (NIMHANS). He has over sixteen years of work experience in the area of Mental Health, Addiction, and in particular working with young people on addiction and treatment. His work experince includes 12 years of Teaching, Service and Research from the Department of Psychiatric Social Work and Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS.
Dr Biswa
Dr Biswamitra is a trained Demographer with a background in the Social Sciences. Dr, Biswa’s research is primarily centred around domain of social determinants of health. She is keen to associate herself to organizations working on a social cause that has the potential to bring positive change in the lives of people and communities. She is also a data science expert.
Dr. Sathya
Photographer/documentary filmmaker. Sathya’s current focus is technology-driven innovations in the field of public health and the wider application of technologies especially artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the health ecosystem while involving diverse background stakeholders.