The MPH programme has a focus on Social Epidemiology designed to develop conceptual understanding of public health issues, impart research and analytical skills to engage in evidence based planning, implementation and management of public health initiatives at various levels. It aims at developing public health administrators with expertise in related areas of community health including disease characteristics, their prevention and control, management in crisis situations, forecast strategic disease prevention policies, quality assurance and regulatory affairs.
The field challenges its professionals to confront complex health issues, such as improving access to health care, controlling infectious disease, and reducing environmental hazards, violence, substance abuse, and injury. The main focus of this programme is to emphasize on preventive measures that pose a threat to public health than treatment that has become a focal point in the current global scenario. The programme is targeted at health care professionals / managers / administrators in governmental / non-governmental and public sector organizations, hospitals, academicians, physicians as well as other professionals with related background.
India has achieved substantial improvement in its health indicators. Life expectancy has increased, infant and maternal mortality has declined, and the coverage of most of the National Health Programmes is better. However, this progress is uneven; there are large Statewide variations, and performance in some States is abysmally low.Lack of accountability is plaguing the Indian health system.
The root causes of this lies in the inadequate human resource capacity and poor support systems in health. Institutions in India collectively churn out <500 graduates against a total requirement of 10,000+ public health professionals annually.
A separate public health cadre at district level should be created with suitable avenues for upgradation of educational qualification to postgraduate level, i.e., Master of Public Health and MD in Community Medicine. They should be entrusted with the management of National Health Programmes for TB, HIV, RCH, etc., and health institutions.
Masters in public health prepares the candidates to gain knowledge of the factors which influence local, national and global legislative and social polices; apply broad-based, state-of-the-art quantitative and qualitative skills needed for problem solving; develop multidisciplinary and collaborative strategies for solving health-related problems; enhance communication skills by working with diverse populations; and, be positioned for a leadership role in health promotion and disease prevention.
Public health professionals work in both the public and private sectors. Graduates can find work in the public sector in local, state, or National health departments. The jobs available at health departments range from Health project managers to Health Educators; from Policy Analysts to Epidemiologists. Public health professionals can also work in field of academics in university systems, Academic institutes and as researchers. Those interested in working for a non-profit organization or non governmental organizations can find jobs in health advocacy, policy, or research for organizations as that focus on specific health issues. Still other public health professionals will find work in the private sector - working in randomized control trials for pharmaceutical companies or for health insurance companies.
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