IEP CHANDIGARH
“This is the first program of its kind to be offered in India, where participants can learn about a variety of cultures, nations, and experiences in addition to public health policy and management.” stated- Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, Chandigarh during the closing ceremony of 3 Public Health Policy and Management Program being hosted by Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGMER, Chandigarh. While thanking ITEC, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Government of India for starting such a wonderful programme at PGIMER, Dr Lal distributed the certificates and honoured few participants for various contests held during the programDr. Sonu Goel, the program’s director and professor in Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER said that senior policymakers from 13 countries Algeria, Iraq, Maldives, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Bangladesh, and Tajikistan-met at PGIMER to share specific public health challenges in their respective countries and discussed on solutions. Over 900 people from 80 countries have built their capacity through similar programmes in last 6 years, he said. He continued by saying that such initiatives strengthen international collaborations and mutually beneficial to countries which share similar public health problems.The program’s Guest of Honour, Mr. Kumar Dhawan, Deputy Director of Administration at PGIMER, revealed that he had previously participated in prior ITEC programs and believed it would assist foster international and inter-institutional partnerships. The participants are learning how to develop and implement effective public health policies through the lens of management and leadership, and Dr. Rakesh Kapoor, Professor and Head Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, said during the event.The entire course was a special synthesis of approaches, including formal lectures, group discussions, the stimulation of fresh ideas, critical analysis, exercises for problem-solving. case studies, and management games that encouraged learning while having fun. Through ROTTO (Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization), the delegates were shown PGIMER’s best practices as well as Chandigarh’s smart city concept through the Municipal Corporation’s Integrated Command Center. Additionally, a networking event featuring a cultural night, unique laughter yoga, and bhangra was organized. On the basis of the program’s lessons, participants also created an Action Plan for their nation or institution, which will be monitored by the program’s administrators for the next three months. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs will honour the finest nation reportImportant dignitaries who took part during the program included Prof. Sanjiv Kumar, Former Executive Director, National Health System Resource Centre (NHSRC) New Delhi, Prof. Rakesh Sehgal, Dean Academics, PGIMER, Dr. A K Aggarwal, Head, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Prof. Mona Gupta, Advisor, Health policy, NHSRC, Prof. Pankaj Bhardwaj, Academic Head and Vice Dean, AIIMS) and Program Director also participated during the program.
