Dr John Hoffmire: Prachi, it’s a pleasure to be back in touch and learn more about your work. You are the External Affairs & Communications Lead at Organon, a global healthcare company focused on improving the health of women. Tell me more about your role at Organon and how it aligns with your long standing mission to improve women’s health?
Prachi Garg: Thank you, John. At Organon, I lead the External Affairs and Communications for 8 countries in South Asian subcontinent. My portfolio includes Market Access, Policy, Pricing, and Communications with a strong focus on improving women’s health and access to equitable care. My role involves ensuring that essential healthcare solutions, particularly for women and vulnerable populations, are accessible and affordable. By addressing barriers to access and working closely with governments, private sector partners, and NGOs, my work at Organon is to strengthen health systems, educate, and empower women to make informed healthcare decisions.
John: Your experience in public health, social behavior change, and communication spans over 15 years. Has your approach to addressing healthcare challenges in South Asia changed over the years?
Prachi: My journey in public health has been deeply rooted in understanding the needs of diverse communities and working collaboratively with stakeholders to create sustainable solutions. Having worked with central and state governments in India and Bangladesh, I’ve learned to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments. This experience has equipped me with the skills to design programs that prioritize inclusivity and innovation, whether it’s through digital health platforms, insurance or capacity-building initiatives. I apply complex health systems thinking to deliver data driven solutions that are relevant to the communities I am working with. My work has always been about bridging gaps—between policy and practice, rural and urban communities, and healthcare providers and patients.
John: Lack of equitable access to healthcare disproportionately affects women, not only physically but economically as well. Is this something Organon is addressing, particularly in India?
Prachi: Absolutely! And you are right, access to healthcare is important as women are foundational to the societies. Their well being determines the wellbeing of families especially children. A healthy girl who stays in school and has access to equitable healthcare not only creates wealth but also improves the quality of life and future of her entire family. We at Organon India are focused on ensuring access to contraception, fertility treatments and menopause care in India. At Organon, we are committed to providing accessible treatments for conditions that impact women. We are collaborating with the Government and non-profit sector and development partners in India with the objective of raising awareness, ensuring affordability, and fostering partnerships with healthcare providers to create a continuum of care. Our initiatives aim to support women in managing their health effectively while reducing the social and economic burdens associated with issues specific to women such as unplanned pregnancy and infertility.
John: I understand that, during your time at Organon, you have also been involved in creating and supporting collaborative initiatives like the Udaan Collaborative and the Women’s Health and Livelihood Alliance. I’d love to know more about that.
Prachi: The Udaan Collaborative and the Women’s Health and Livelihood Alliance (WOHLA) USAID’s initiatives that exemplify Organon’s commitment to impactful partnerships. For example, through the Udaan Collaborative, JHPIEGO aim to enhance youth access to sexual and reproductive health services using digital platforms and training healthcare providers. Organon is closely working with JHPIEGO and Udaan to provide technical assistance and bridge supply gaps. Similarly, the WOHLA initiative, FHM Engage focuses on empowering 5 million women by integrating health solutions with economic opportunities. Both initiatives emphasize collaboration with stakeholders across sectors to address systemic challenges and create sustainable, scalable impact in improving women’s health and livelihoods.
John: You were both a Hubert H. Humphrey Scholar at Emory University and a Chevening Gurukul Fellow at Oxford University, 10 years apart. How have your studies abroad, and especially your recent Chevening fellowship, influenced your work and, if so, tell me more about the impact these fellowships have had?
Prachi: Most definitely. Both fellowships have been transformative experiences. At Emory University I gained a robust foundation in public health policy, epidemiology, and leadership, which enhanced my ability to develop evidence-based strategies. My recent Chevening Fellowship at Oxford broadened my perspective on global health challenges and taught me the value of interdisciplinary approaches. These experiences have enriched my work in India by enabling me to apply international best practices while tailoring solutions to local contexts.
Participating in the Chevening Gurukul Fellowship was a transformative experience both personally and professionally. On a personal level, the program deepened my understanding of global challenges and leadership paradigms, equipping me with the tools to think critically and adapt to diverse cultural and organizational contexts. The interactions with a cohort of exceptional leaders from across the globe not only expanded my worldview but also fostered lifelong friendships and a robust professional network. These connections continue to inspire and support my journey as a changemaker.
Professionally, the fellowship sharpened my analytical and strategic thinking skills, providing me with a solid foundation to address complex policy and governance issues. The exposure to world-class academic insights and practical frameworks for leadership enriched my ability to drive impact in my field. It also strengthened my confidence to navigate and influence policy environments effectively, positioning me as a more capable and innovative leader. I particularly value the guidance I received from my mentor, Aris, who allowed me to learn from his health policy experiences as a global expert. Overall, the Chevening Gurukul Fellowship has been a pivotal milestone in my career, shaping my aspirations and amplifying my capacity to contribute meaningfully to society.
I believe programs like Chevening and Fulbright have allowed me to find my place in the world and gain greater confidence in my ideas and perspectives.
John: Prachi, I feel as if I have the best job in the world getting to teach wonderful fellows such as yourself. Knowing you has been my privilege. And I look forward to seeing you in February in Delhi.
Prachi Garg is the Market Access, Policy, and Communications Lead at Organon and a Chevening Gurukul Fellow for Leadership and Excellence at Oxford university, 2023.
John Hoffmire is a Research Associate at the Oxford Centre for Mutual and Co-owned Business
