PHFI opens admissions for MPH programme on Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar campuses

The Public Health Foundation of India's (PHFI) announcement regarding the opening of admissions for its Master of Public Health (MPH) programme on its Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar campuses is a significant development for India's public health landscape. This initiative underscores a growing recognition of the critical need for skilled professionals to navigate the complex challenges in public health, from managing infectious diseases to addressing non-communicable diseases and strengthening health systems.

**Background Context and Historical Perspective:**

India has historically faced a severe shortage of trained public health professionals. While medical education has focused on clinical care, the broader aspects of public health – including epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, health management, environmental health, and social determinants of health – have often been neglected. The need for a robust public health cadre became acutely evident during major health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted gaps in disease surveillance, outbreak response, and health communication. Even prior to recent pandemics, committees like the Bhore Committee (1946) and the Mudaliar Committee (1962) emphasized the importance of preventive and social medicine. However, institutional capacity building in public health education lagged. This led to the establishment of PHFI in 2006 as a public-private initiative, with support from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, specifically to address the acute shortage of trained public health professionals in the country through education, training, research, and advocacy.

**What Happened and Key Stakeholders:**

PHFI has opened admissions for its flagship MPH programme at its Indian Institutes of Public Health (IIPH) in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar. The MPH programme is designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills required to work in various public health settings, including government health departments, international organizations, NGOs, research institutions, and the private sector. Key stakeholders involved include:

* **Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI):** As the primary institution offering the programme, PHFI plays a crucial role in curriculum design, faculty recruitment, and ensuring the quality of public health education. Its mission is to strengthen public health in India through interdisciplinary education and research.

* **Aspiring Public Health Professionals/Students:** These individuals are the direct beneficiaries, gaining specialized knowledge and skills essential for careers in public health.

* **Central and State Governments:** They are major employers of public health professionals and beneficiaries of a stronger public health workforce. Ministries of Health and Family Welfare at both levels rely on trained professionals for policy formulation, program implementation (e.g., National Health Mission), disease control, and health data management.

* **Healthcare Providers and Institutions:** Hospitals, primary health centers, and community health centers require public health expertise for better management, outbreak control, and community engagement.

* **International Organizations and NGOs:** Bodies like WHO, UNICEF, and various national and international NGOs actively work in public health and are potential employers and collaborators.

**Significance for India and Future Implications:**

This initiative is immensely significant for India. Firstly, it directly contributes to **strengthening India's health systems**. A well-trained public health workforce is essential for effective disease surveillance, early warning systems, evidence-based policy making, and efficient implementation of national health programmes like the National Health Mission (NHM) and Ayushman Bharat. Secondly, it helps in achieving **Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being**, by improving health outcomes across various indicators such as maternal mortality, infant mortality, and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Thirdly, it enhances India's **preparedness for future health crises**. Lessons from past pandemics underscore the need for a robust public health infrastructure capable of rapid response, research, and effective communication. Furthermore, by expanding access to public health education in regional centers like Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, PHFI contributes to **regional equity** in human resource development and ensures that professionals are trained with a nuanced understanding of local health challenges.

In the long term, a stronger cadre of public health professionals will lead to a greater emphasis on **preventive healthcare**, which is more cost-effective and leads to better population health outcomes than curative care alone. It will foster innovation in health service delivery, improve health equity, and support India's aspirations to become a global leader in health research and policy.

**Constitutional Provisions, Acts, and Policies:**

Public health is primarily a **State Subject** under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution (List II, Entry 6: Public Health and Sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries). However, the Union Government plays a significant role in policy formulation, funding, and setting standards. The initiative aligns with several constitutional provisions and national policies:

* **Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty):** The Supreme Court has interpreted Article 21 to include the right to health, making it a fundamental duty of the state to ensure public health.

* **Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP):** Articles 39(e), 42, and particularly **Article 47**, mandate the State to regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties. Education in public health is a direct means to achieve this directive.

* **National Health Policy (NHP) 2017:** This policy emphasizes the need for skilled human resources in health, promoting public health education, and strengthening public health cadres. It advocates for a paradigm shift from a 'sick-care' approach to a 'wellness' approach, which requires a strong public health foundation.

* **National Health Mission (NHM):** Launched in 2005, NHM aims to achieve universal access to equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare services. Trained public health professionals are crucial for planning, implementing, and monitoring NHM programs, especially at the district and sub-district levels.

* **Ayushman Bharat:** This flagship scheme, comprising Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), also relies on a robust public health workforce for its success, particularly for preventive and promotive health services delivered through HWCs.

By expanding public health education, PHFI is directly contributing to fulfilling constitutional mandates and achieving national health policy objectives, paving the way for a healthier and more resilient India.