PGIMER’s international public health programme concludes with global insights

“Embrace the challenges of tomorrow with the wisdom gained today for progressing health care in your country”, said Mr. Ummed Mathur, Registrar, PGIMER, Chandigarh while conferring certificates to participants during the closing ceremony of 25th cohort of the International Public Health Management Development Program. While thanking Indian Technical Economic Cooperation, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India for enduring faith in PGIMER for last 8 years, he congratulated Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health for sustaining the ‘first of its kind’ program in the country and adding feather in the cap of institution.

Dr. Sonu Goel, Program Director of IPHMDP and Professor at PGIMER said that senior public health professionals and policy makers from 161 ITEC nations learn various leadership and management lessons through non-conventional teaching pedagogy including ‘gamification’- use of games in teaching, contextual case studies of participating countries, group thinking through problem-solving exercises and real case scenarios and field based learning for best public health practices of India. Over 1300 people from 87 countries have built their capacity through similar program at PGIMER in last 8 years, Dr Goel said.

The delegates from 19 countries- Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Fiji, Mongolia, St.Kitts & Nevis, Tajikistan, South Sudan, Maldives, Botswana, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Tonga, Vietnam, Armenia and Burundi — learnt not only essential public health management planning, monitoring and evaluation, budgeting and costing, inventory management skills but also soft skills like motivation, effective communication, team building and many more. They were also introduced leadership through ancient wisdom of Indian sub-continent besides field visits to PGIMER for India’s premier ROTTO (Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization) centre, telemedicine and green hospital concept.

During the field visit to Shimla, the participants witnessed innovations like introduction of intradermal rabies vaccine introduction in India, national tuberculosis elimination program, tobacco free villages, and non-communicable disease program, for which state of Himachal Pradesh won accolades in the country. The delegates also visited World-class Central Research Institute in Kasuali where they witnessed development of vaccines and serums. Additionally, a networking event featuring a cultural night, unique laughter yoga, and bhangra was organized, showcasing cultural heritage of participating countries. Based on the program’s lessons, participants submitted case study highlighting a public health challenge and its solution based on principles of leadership and management. The participants also prepared an Action Plan for their country or institution, which will be followed up with submission of Action Plan Implementation Report after 3 months of program.