Ganga Lalani

I am a PhD candidate in Health Economics attached to the Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences (FMAS), Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL), and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), RUSL. My doctoral research, which I am conducting under the supervision of Prof. Nuwan Darshana Wickramasinghe, Prof. Thilini Agampodi, Prof. RPIR Prasanna, and Prof. SB Agampodi, focuses on assessing the household health costs associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural Sri Lanka.

My research expertise spans qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches across the disciplines related to health and social sciences. A core principle I seek to apply in my research is community engagement and involvement (CEI), which I am keen to ensure keeps research questions and outcomes relevant and responsive to community needs.

I have contributed to several national projects addressing pressing health and environmental challenges, including studies on chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu), socio-economic and environmental impacts of CKDu in the North Central Province, and the effects of drought in Sri Lanka.

At the international level, I have worked with ECLIPSE programme, a multi-country initiative spanning Sri Lanka, Brazil, Ethiopia, and the United Kingdom. This project aimed to improve the patient journey of CL patients and reduce stigma through community-based interventions. Within this framework, I gained valuable experience in cross-cultural and multidisciplinary research, particularly in integrating arts-based approaches such as street drama, kolam, films, and books. 

Therefore, the CHaI community aligns closely with my commitment and experience in understanding health and illness through cultural lenses. I am particularly interested in co-creating knowledge with communities and integrating arts-based methods into global health research by establishing context-specific principles. Through CHaI, I look forward to connecting with colleagues across the globe, sharing ideas and experiences, and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

Email: lalani@ssh.rjt.ac.lk 

Affiliation: Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka