Dr. Rajeev Rao Eashwari

Dr. Eashwari is a distinguished physician and a highly experienced healthcare IT leader with a proven track record in shaping digital health strategies and their implementation. His strategic thinking and understanding of national healthcare priorities were evident in his involvement in the development of the National Digital Health Strategy for South Africa.

Dr. Eashwari's foundational medical training includes a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B., B.S) completed in 1982, followed by a master's degree in forensic medicine from Osmania Medical College, Osmania University, Telangana, India, in 1991.

His commitment to advancing healthcare through technology led him to further expand his expertise with an advanced course in Health Informatics in 2003, from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN) and in telemedicine through the Foreign Telemedicine program at the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) in 2006, with a focus on medical reconnaissance and special operations.

Currently, Dr. Eashwari leads the South African Health Informatics Association (SAHIA) as its President, advocating for the effective integration of informatics in healthcare. His commitment to continental collaboration is further demonstrated through his role as Chair of the Pan African Telehealth Network (PATN), a significant subcommittee of the Health Informatics Association of Africa (HELINA), where he champions the use of technology to expand healthcare access and achieve universal coverage across Africa.

Dr. Eashwari has driven digital transformation within healthcare systems in South Africa. His broad expertise encompasses not only Health Informatics, Telehealth, and Population Health Management, but also critical areas such as extensive Hospital Management experience and a strong grounding in Medico-legal aspects. He is also actively engaged with the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Throughout his career, his unwavering focus has been on strategically leveraging technology to realize universal healthcare coverage and to optimize the clinical continuum of care, ensuring more efficient and effective healthcare delivery.