Dr N. Paranietharan
WHO Representative to Indonesia
Dr N. Paranietharan (Paranie) is a senior global health leader with more than 20 years of experience overseeing complex health programmes across Asia and Africa. He has a strong record in health systems strengthening, strategic partnerships, and guiding multisectoral responses in both development and humanitarian settings.
As WHO Representative to Indonesia, Dr Paranie advises the Government of Indonesia and development partners on key public health priorities. He also steered WHO’s support to the COVID-19 response in Indonesia. He has modernized the WHO Country Office and cultivated a high-performing and diverse team recognized for excellence.
Dr Paranie previously served as WHO Representative to Bangladesh, where he led the health response to the Rohingya refugee crisis and achieved substantial improvements in overall country office performance. He also previously served at WHO in South Sudan and Somalia and at USAID Uganda.
Dr Paranie, a Sri Lankan national, is a medical doctor with an MBBS from the University of Colombo and an MPH in Health Policy and Financing from Johns Hopkins University, complemented by postgraduate training in healthcare leadership and management.
