PGI Chandigarh concludes  five-day global Public Health Management Program

Chandigarh, September 12, 2021: The five-day online E- international Public Health Management Development Program (e-IPHMDP) organized by the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh, has successfully concluded. Supported by Indian Technical Economic Cooperation, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India for 161 ITEC nations, the global program was attended by 65 participants from 25 nations. The program demonstrated the  premium case practices in managing various health problems, including the coronavirus pandemic.

"Due to the pandemic the management program was organised virtually. The program was conceptualized in 2016 and has trained over 600 plus participants from over 80 countries," Professor Sonu Goel, Program Director and Professor of Health Management, PGIMER, said during the virtual inaugural ceremony. 

Countries that took part included Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, Guyana, Jordan, Kenya,  Kingdom of Eswatini, Maldives, Mauritius, Morocco, Nicaragua, Palestine, Philippines, Russia, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, and Vietnam.

The motive behind the program was to enhance the skills and competencies of middle and senior-level program managers for addressing public health challenges and strengthening the efficiency of organizations in resource-constrained settings.

The technical sessions during the five-day course were planned on basic concepts, skills, importance of interpersonal communication, planning a communication strategy, Modern IT in communication and advocacy etc. The eminent speakers among others included Prof. Ragni Bagga, Former HOD, NIHFW, Prof. Preethi John, Dean Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Dr.Ravneet Kaur, Associate Professor, AIIMS ,Dr. OP Kansal, Advocacy Specialist.

Dr.Kritika Upadhyay, Program coordinator, shared that the diverse teaching methodology introduced in the program through 'short lectures', 'case studies', quiz contests like 'voracious reader', 'socially active participant', 'best logo design', 'best selfie and tagline' helped in better learning of key fundamentals of the program. 

 The valedictory ceremony consisted of a glimpse of the 5-day program, live feedback session of participants and facilitators, and a Cultural Extravaganza where participants from 25 countries showcased their cultural heritage.

"The participants will be the brand ambassadors of the program and shall conduct similar programs in their settings", summed up Dr.Goel, Program Director.