Dr Rajeev Rao Eashwari

President, South African Health Informatics Association

Dr. Rajeev Rao Eashwari is a distinguished healthcare pioneer with over 42 years of experience across India and South Africa. Trained as a medical doctor with an MD in Forensic Medicine, he has pursued advanced studies in Health Informatics and telemedicine. His career has evolved to focus on the intersection of clinical practice, hospital administration, and digital health. Dr. Eashwari possesses a robust background in hospital management, emergency medicine, general practice, and mental health, alongside significant expertise in medico-legal consulting and regulatory compliance.

“His leadership is exemplified by his tenure as Senior Medical Superintendent of a Regional Referral Hospital in Eastern Cape, later as Director of eHealth for the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provincial departments of health. In these roles, he spearheaded digital transformation initiatives, leveraging technology to enhance service delivery—including innovations like smart pen technology for population health management and electronic ICU systems that connected intensivists with rural medical officers, bridging critical gaps in specialized care.”

Dr. Eashwari is recognized as a leader in health informatics and technology, holding several prestigious positions, including President of the South African Health Informatics Association (SAHIA) and Chair of the Pan African Telehealth Network, a subcommittee of the Health Informatics Association of Africa (HELINA). His commitment to utilizing technology for universal healthcare access is underscored by his role as a Health Information Exchange (HIE) Subject Matter Specialist for the Africa CDC and his involvement with the Intercontinental AI Advisory Council.

Dr. Eashwari’s pioneering contributions to digital health have garnered multiple national awards from CPSI (DPSA) and provincial MASEA (KZN) awards, solidifying his reputation as a healthcare innovator dedicated to enhancing patient care and public health outcomes through technology.