Two-day Public Health Symposium Concludes in PGI

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 10^th March:- The two-day 3^rd Public Health Symposium at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI), organized by the School of Public Health, PGIMER, concluded today.

Several panellists discussed about social determinants of health. Saurabh Jain, Director, Swachh Bharat mission, said that sanitation is a major social determinant of health and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, initiated on 2^nd October 2014, is a small step towards achieving it. He added that about 515 cities, including Chandigarh, are now free of open defecation.

Ms. Inayat, Research Coordinator, PGI, shared her experiences from a rural area of Madhya Pradesh and emphasized the need to involve local communities.  

Mirai Chatterjee, Director of SEWA, Gujarat, said that behaviour change occurs when people come together, and gave an example of ‘Vikasani Maha Mandal’ while talking about the importance of water and sanitation in health.

In her talk, Dr. Atreyi Ganguly, National Professional Officer, WHO India, said that health promotion combines diversities and requires public participation and health strategies need to be built as per the regional requirements.

Dr. Papiya G Mazumdar, Associate Professor, Institute of Public Health, West Bengal, acknowledged the various environmental factors that affect people’s health, and wanted to intensify the focus on indicators of the urban health, like air pollution and the resultant increase in various chronic diseases.

Stanzin Dawa, Regional Director, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Government of India, conveyed that there is no strong voice in mainstream Indian politics that talks about the social aspects related to health, such as poverty and education.

Vivek Trivedi, Social Development Officer, SJSRY, Chandigarh, presented his views on the importance of the convergence in health and the ways by which it can be achieved.

Speaking on the importance of health education in the health promotion, Dr. Anil Kumar Goswami, Associate Professor, AIIMS, Delhi, said that modern lifestyle is leading to various chronic diseases, but mobilizing people is very difficult.

Dr. G.B. Singh, State Programme Officer, NPCDCS, Punjab, emphasized on the importance of peer education in improving health of the community for chronic and non- chronic diseases and noted that until and unless we are able to carry the messages to the communities all other efforts that were taken will be useless.

Dr. Ashoo Grover, Scientist E, ICMR, New Delhi, talked about the various health promotion models and the role of ICMR in health promotion.

Dr. Pyare Lal Garg, Convener, Jan Swasthaya Abhyan, Punjab, said that people know what is good for them and their health. But, they still not practice and adapt those behaviours. Reasons behind this are important to know for efficient promotion of health.

Suresh Manjre, TISS, Mumbai, shared his work experiences on rural health and developmental projects to highlight the various aspects of the health in rural areas and challenges in promoting health among rural communities.

Speaking on capacity building related to health promotion, Dr. Madhumita Dobe, Dean, AIIHPH, Kolkata, said that getting quality staff to teach health promotion is challenging”, and also stressed the importance of having a participatory, rather than paternalistic, approach even in training on health promotion.

Dr. Veera Gupta, Associate Professor, NUEPA, Delhi, spoke the need to focus on psychological aspects of students, as mental health is indirectly related to improving their physical health.

Dr. Poonam Khattar, Professor, NIHFW, suggested, “Depending on the needs of the learner, specialised health promotion courses can be offered as a short course or using e-learning or distance learning tools,” and suggested that health promotion courses may need accreditation, and health promotion be offered in workplaces as well.

Tina Rawal, PHFI, Delhi, shared an innovative health promotion among school children in called ‘Project KIDS’ by actively engaging students to provide information on chronic non-communicable diseases, health eating, etc. and to improve their health advocacy skills, for example, against tobacco use, and facilitating students parliament on health policies.