Anemia is a silent epidemic impacting physical growth, mental and work capacity, and lives of current and future generations. All population groups in India are engulfed by anemia, with women and children affected disproportionately. Iron deficiency-anemia has been the biggest cause of disability for the past 10 years and has contributed towards 20 per cent direct and 50 per cent associated deaths in India. The economic burden of anemia is equivalent to about 4 per cent of GDP.
M.K. Padma Kumar is involved in developing strategies and managing operations for the IPE Global Group.
He has over 25 years of experience in the development sector, working in civil society organisations and international development agencies like DANIDA and DFID. As the Head of State Partnerships at the DFID India, he was responsible for developing partnerships, programme design, management and strategic oversight of all programmes implemented in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. He has managed various development programmes. His expertise lies in driving operational, financial and programmatic transformations. Before DFID, he was associated with Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Help Age and World Wildlife Fund.
He holds a Master’s degree in Business Management with specialisation in Human Resource Management and Finance. He is extensively trained in Project Cycle Management, Grant Management, Performance Management, Leadership Skills and Change Management.