New England Journal of Medicine2021380+ citations
Immediate 'Kangaroo Mother Care' and Survival of Infants with Low Birth Weight
WHO Immediate KMC Study Group (Mittal P, et al.)
Berkeley, California
Dr. Pratima Mittal
MD, FRCOG (Hon.)
Professor Emeritus & Former Head, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi
From clinical trials to national guidelines — scaling health innovations that save lives
Global health leader with 40+ years transforming maternal and newborn health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Led one of Asia's highest-volume obstetrics departments. WHO Consultant, NEJM-published researcher, and architect of national health policies reaching millions.
40+
Years of Experience
70+
Indexed Publications
26+
National Guidelines Authored
US Permanent Resident — Authorized to work in the United States
Featured In
Recognized by leading global health organizations
“Dr. Mittal's leadership in the Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care trial has revolutionized how we care for preterm babies worldwide.”
GF
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
View original post →Collaborated with leading institutions worldwide
WHO
World Health Organization
RCOG
Royal College UK
NEJM
Published Research
Lancet
Published Research
MOHFW
Govt. of India
Experience
Four decades of leadership across clinical practice, global health consulting, and national policy development
Global Consulting
WHO Consultant & Principal Investigator
World Health Organization
Global • 2015 - 2023
- Principal Investigator for the landmark iKMC trial published in NEJM
- Multi-country projects in Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Ghana
- Developed WHO Pocket Books for maternal care in SEARO countries
- Recognized for 'strong leadership' in redesigning hospital infrastructure
Clinical Leadership
Professor & Head of Department, Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital
New Delhi, India • 1982 - 2021
- Led one of Asia's largest tertiary care centers with 25,000+ annual deliveries
- Established India's first public-sector OB-GYN Critical Care Unit
- Pioneered Mother-Newborn Care Units (MNCU) now scaled nationally
- Launched National Board-accredited 2-year Fellowship in High Risk Pregnancy
Clinical Leadership
Sr. Consultant, Professor & Head of Department
Amrita Hospital
Faridabad, India • 2022 - 2024
- Led OB-GYN department at India's largest private multi-specialty hospital (2,600 beds)
- Integrated advanced clinical governance with patient-centric care
Policy & Government
Technical Expert & Advisor
Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
India • 2014 - Present
- Authored 26+ national operational guidelines on maternal and child health
- Key contributor to Anemia Mukt Bharat (Anemia-Free India) protocols
- National Trainer on Adolescent Health, Critical Care, and Comprehensive Abortion Care
- Member of Technical Advisory Groups for DBT and ICMR
Featured Publications
Selected high-impact research from 70+ indexed publications in leading medical journals
View Paper
The Lancet Global Health2019
Safety and effectiveness of intravenous iron sucrose versus standard oral iron therapy in pregnant women with moderate-to-severe anaemia in India: a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, randomised, controlled trial
Neogi SB, Devasenapathy N, Singh R, ... Mittal P, et al.
BMJ Global Health2018
Burden of physical, psychological and social ill-health during and after pregnancy among women in India, Pakistan, Kenya and Malawi
McCauley M, Madaj B, White SA, ... Mittal P, et al.
BMJ2022
Impact of a package of health, nutrition, psychosocial support, and WaSH interventions delivered during preconception, pregnancy, and early childhood periods on birth outcomes and on linear growth at 24 months of age
Taneja S, Chowdhury R, Dhabhai N, ... Mittal P, et al.
Indian Journal of Pediatrics2022
Mother-Newborn Care Unit (MNCU) Experience in India: A Paradigm Shift in Care of Small and Sick Newborns
Chellani H, Arya S, Mittal P, et al.
The Lancet Global Health2024
Incidence of and risk factors for small vulnerable newborns in north India: a secondary analysis of a prospective pregnancy cohort
Thiruvengadam R, ... Mittal P, et al.
Full list of 70+ publications available in CV
Download Full CVResources & Guidelines
Clinical guidelines and resources developed for healthcare workers across low- and middle-income countries
WHO
WHO Publications
World Health Organization
Pocket Book for Management of First Trimester of Pregnancy
WHO-SEARO • 2021
Pocket Book for Management of Second Trimester Abortion
WHO • 2023
Hospital Care for Mothers: Guidelines for Management of Common Maternal Conditions
WHO • 2017
Clinical Guidelines: Responding to children and adolescents who have been sexually abused
WHO (Geneva) • 2016
GOI
National Guidelines
Government of India - MOHFW
Guidelines for Maternal Death Surveillance and Response
2017
Operational Guidelines for Obstetric ICUs and HDUs
2017
Comprehensive Abortion Care - Provider's Manual
2014
Adolescent Health - Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) Resource Book
2014
Anemia Mukt Bharat Operational Guidelines
2018
+ 20 more national guidelines authored
Awards & Recognition
Recognized internationally for contributions to maternal and newborn health
Honorary Fellow (FRCOG)
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK
2019
Awarded for exemplary work in maternal health
Vice President
FOGSI (Federation of Obstetric & Gynaecological Societies of India)
2018
National leadership of India's premier OB-GYN professional body
President
AOGD (Association of Obstetricians & Gynecologists of Delhi)
2015-16
Society won 'Best Category A Society in India' during tenure
Fellow (FICOG)
Indian College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists
Academic wing of FOGSI
National Board Fellowship Course Established
Safdarjung Hospital
2014
2-year FNB in High Risk Pregnancy and Perinatal Care - first of its kind
Teaching & Mentorship
Dedicated to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals through education and mentorship
30+ Post-MD Fellows Guided
Mentored fellows in High-Risk Pregnancy and Perinatal Care
Visiting Professor
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh
Professor Emeritus
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Delhi
National Trainer - MOHFW
Adolescent Health, Critical Care in Obstetrics, Comprehensive Abortion Care, PPIUCD
IGNOU Academic Counselor
PGDMCH Programme - distance education in maternal and child health
Examiner
AIIMS Delhi, DNB, MS examinations across premier Indian universities
17+ Years of Teaching
Undergraduate and postgraduate medical education
Get in Touch
Interested in collaboration, speaking engagements, or discussing opportunities in global health?