Where Science Meets Society
My medical practice spans from individual forensic investigations to population-level pandemic response. Whether examining evidence in a morgue or explaining epidemiology on national television, I believe medicine's true power lies in its ability to serve justice, protect communities, and tell important truths.
Dr. Ashis Brahma, MD
Public Health Specialist | Forensic Medical Doctor | Global Health Advocate
Professional Summary
Dr. Ashis Brahma is a distinguished public health physician and forensic medical doctor who emerged as a prominent voice during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands. With over 20 years of international medical experience, he combines clinical expertise with innovative health communication strategies to make public health accessible to diverse communities.
Currently serving as a forensic medical doctor at GGD Amsterdam, Dr. Brahma specializes in infectious disease control, forensic medicine, and creative health education. His unique approach to public health messaging, including his groundbreaking COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, has made him one of the Netherlands' most recognizable medical figures.
Areas of Expertise
- Infectious Disease Control & Prevention
- Forensic Medicine
- Public Health Policy & Implementation
- Tropical Medicine
- Humanitarian Medicine & Crisis Response
- Health Communication & Community Engagement
- Vaccine Education & Advocacy
- One Health Initiatives
Professional Experience
Current Position
Forensic Medical Doctor | GGD Amsterdam (2021 - Present)
- Leading infectious disease control initiatives
- Providing forensic medical services
- Developing innovative public health communication strategies
Previous Roles
- Doctor, Communicable Disease Control & Forensic Medicine | GGD Noord Oost Gelderland
- Medical Doctor | Oure Cassoni Refugee Camp, Chad (2006-2007)
- Sole physician serving 27,000 Darfur refugees
- Managed comprehensive medical care in crisis conditions
- Tropical Medicine Specialist | Various locations including India, Nepal, Burundi, Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Sudan
- Visiting Professor | Virtual University Uganda
Education & Training
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) | University Medical Training (1990-1999)
- Public Health Specialization | Netherlands School of Public & Occupational Health (2013-2014)
- Tropical Medicine | London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Forensic Medicine Certification | Netherlands
COVID-19 Leadership & Innovation
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Brahma became a trusted public health voice in the Netherlands, particularly known for:
- Creative Vaccination Campaigns: Starred in "The Road to Protection" campaign, reaching millions of young adults through innovative messaging
- Community Engagement: Pioneered culturally-sensitive approaches to vaccine education, including performing as rapper "Ashis B"
- Media Presence: Regular appearances on Dutch media, providing clear, accessible COVID-19 guidance
- Vulnerable Population Advocacy: Championed vaccination access for migrant workers and marginalized communities
International Humanitarian Work
Dr. Brahma's commitment to global health extends across continents:
- Darfur Crisis Response: Provided medical care to refugees and documented their stories through blogging and international speaking tours (2006-2007)
- Multi-Country Experience: Delivered medical services in conflict zones and developing regions across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East
- Health System Development: Contributed to healthcare infrastructure improvements in resource-limited settings
Publications & Media
- Regular contributor to public health discussions in Dutch media
- Author of the Africa's Hi Spring blog documenting humanitarian experiences
- Featured in national vaccination campaigns by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
- Podcast appearances including "Geheelmeesters" discussing planetary health
Audio/Podcast Content
SoundCloud Interviews
- GGD-arts Ashis Brahma beantwoordt coronavragen
- GGD-arts Ashis Brahma beantwoordt vragen van publiek over corona
News Articles About His Campaign Videos
- Omroep Gelderland - "GGD-arts Ashis Brahma schittert in 'actiefilm' over coronavaccin"
- URL: https://www.gld.nl/nieuws/7397084/ggd-arts-ashis-brahma-schittert-in-actiefilm-over-coronavaccin
- (October 6, 2021 - describes both the action film and rap videos)
- Op1 NPO - Article about his appearance on the show
- URL: https://op1npo.nl/2021/10/06/debby-de-geus-ab-osterhaus-en-ashis-brahma-over-vaccineren-en-de-derde-prik/
- (October 7, 2021 - includes information about his TV appearance)
- Arts en Auto Magazine - Extensive interview with photos
- URL: https://www.artsenauto.nl/ik-geloof-in-de-dialoog/
- (March 27, 2023 - likely contains professional photos)
Government/Official Sources
Ministry of Health (Ministerie van VWS)
- Official Twitter Account (referenced but couldn't access directly)
- URL: https://twitter.com/minvws/status/1445731789310287888
- Search their timeline for October 2021 for his campaign videos
- MijnVraagOverCorona.nl - Government COVID information site
- URL: https://mijnvraagovercorona.nl/en/vaccinating/i-m-not-sure-about-getting-the-coronavirus-vaccination
- References his vaccination videos for pregnant women
Philosophy & Approach
"I believe in the power of dialogue and storytelling in healthcare. By speaking the language of the people and meeting them where they are, we can bridge the gap between medical science and community understanding. Health communication isn't just about what we say—it's about how people hear it."
Dr. Brahma's approach emphasizes:
- Creative and culturally-relevant health messaging
- Building trust through authentic communication
- Empowering communities with accessible information
- Balancing scientific accuracy with relatability
Awards & Recognition
- Nominated for Doctorpreneur Award 2016
- Recognized by Minister Hugo de Jonge for innovative COVID-19 communication
- Featured speaker at international conferences on genocide awareness and public health
Professional Affiliations
- KAMG (Koepel Artsen Maatschappij en Gezondheid)
- Nederlandse Vereniging voor Infectieziektebestrijding (NVIB)
- Werkgroep Zorg 2025
- Health Entrepreneurship & Innovation Challenge (Co-Founder)
Contact
For professional inquiries, speaking engagements, or collaboration opportunities, please contact through official GGD Amsterdam channels.
Last updated: June 2025
Tags: public-health, forensic-medicine, community-medicine