Dr. Salunke has been faculty in the subject of Preventive and Social Medicine (Community Medicine) for Nine years and a postgraduate guide. He was an Adjunct Associate professor of Biological Sciences, Human Ecology at the University of Texas, USA – School of Public Health – from 1994 to 2000.
His 30 years’ experience in the Public Health Department spans from Position of Deputy Director to Director General in the Health Services of Maharashtra State. He has been regularly contributing to the development of Public Health in the country as a member of various committees of the States and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. Of India
His stint with the WHO SEARO spanned from being Regional Advisor in 2005 to Assistant Regional Director in 2009, including three years as WHO-Representative to Indonesia
He has navigated various portfolios in Public Health not only by fulfilling goals and targets but also by demonstrating innovative and rational ways. He has assisted State Governments to initiate a number of schemes, mainly focusing on improving Health Services to the poorer section of society. He was actively involved in formulating projects like “Health System Development” for Maharashtra State that was supported by the World Bank. He has shown leadership in designing the HIV/AIDS Control special programme (AVERT) with the assistance of USAID for Maharashtra State. He was one of the members of designing National AIDS Control Programme Phase II during 1999-2000 that was a major step in control of HIV/AIDS through the National Programme for Control of HIV/AIDS.
From 15th May 2010 till date, he is functioning as Senior Advisor to President, Public Health Foundation of India, mainly focusing on Health Systems issues. He has been Principal Investigator for number of Public Health projects –implemented through Public Health Foundation of India. He is also looking after the responsibility of Director, IIPH-Bhubaneswar from Aug 2018