Shakuntala Misra

A visionary Indian physician and social entrepreneur who pioneered community-led healthcare initiatives in rural India

Dr. Shakuntala Misra (born 1945) revolutionized primary healthcare delivery through her innovative community health programs that empowered marginalized populations. As founder of the Misra Foundation, she developed the 'Health Camps' model bringing medical services to remote villages through mobile units and trained local volunteers. This approach increased maternal healthcare access by 40% in target regions and inspired similar programs across South Asia.

Her work in the 1980s established the first rural mental health clinic in India, addressing taboos around psychological care. Misra's advocacy led to policy changes in India's National Rural Health Mission (2005), integrating community health workers into national programs. Her WHO-recognized methodologies are now used in over 15 countries, making her a key figure in global primary healthcare innovation.