The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Need for public health professionals stressed

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Monday, Nov 03, 2008
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Need for public health professionals stressed

Staff Reporter

Chief Minister launches Asian Institute of Public Health

The institute is supported by US-based University of Maryland
Promoters plan to invest Rs. 15 cr. immediately

— Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

Health matters: David J Ramsay, president of the University of Maryland, with Chief Minister Navin Patnaik at the inauguration of the Asian Institute of Public Health in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday launched Asian Institute of Public Health (AIPH), a private venture, which was being supported by the US-based University of Maryland.

Inaugurating the AIPH, Mr. Patnaik said, “non-availability of public health professional is a major concern for health care managers and policy makers. Professional manpower empowered with public health skills and a robust surveillance system to detect outbreak is, therefore, necessary to translate public health actions into reality.”

The institute could be instrumental in empowering fresh medical graduates, medical personnel in various service sectors, social scientists, planners and policy makers with necessary public health skill for optimal delivery of heath services, he said.

AIPH is starting with small programmes such as Certificate in Public Health Management. The institute would be located over a 50-acre land near Jatni, on the outskirt of the capital city. Promoters of the institute plan to invest Rs. 15 crores immediately to start the programme with the help of some guest faculties from the USA.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, David J. Ramsay, president of University of Maryland, said “We will build different centres of excellence under the umbrella of AIPH. I have allocated matching funds in our efforts to secure financial support for infrastructure building. Very soon, AIPH will bring US-based faculty and experts to Orissa for teach, training and conducting research.”

AIPH Secretary Pinaki Panigrahi claimed the institute would be the first of its kind as India had 209 medical colleges whereas there was no full-fledged public health school. But in USA there were 129 medical schools and 33 public health institutes, he added. “The institute will prepare workforce to help formulate and implement health programmes in the country,” Dr. Panigrahi said.

The new institute has roped in several Indian-based teaching faculties as well as US-based experts to take forward different specialized programmes in its campus.

Among others AIPH President N. K Ganguly, who was former director-general of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), was present on the occasion.

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