Chandigarh:
“India beautifully blends its rich cultural heritage with modernity and innovation. Chandigarh is a glimpse of this modern India-planned, progressive and welcoming. We are delighted to host international delegates and give them an opportunity to experience our culture, hospitality and the spirit of Chandigarh.”–Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah (IAS), Secretary, Chandigarh Tourism, Chief Guest at the valedictory ceremony of the 8th Public Health Policy and Management (PHPM) Programme held at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Addressing the gathering, he further said, thisprogramme served not only as an academic and professional platform but also as an important avenue for India’s soft diplomacy, fostering goodwill, mutual understanding and stronger institutional and professional relationships among participating countries.
Organised under the prestigious Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the one-week international capacity-building programme successfully concluded its eighth edition, reaffirming India’s commitment to global public health, South-South cooperation, knowledge diplomacy and capacity building of health-sector leaders. The programme brought together 45 senior healthcare professionals from 25 countries, creating a unique international platform for policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, leadership development, mutual learning and sharing of best practices in public health and health-system management. The participating countries included nations from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, reflecting the diversity and strength of India’s partnerships across the Global South.
The delegates appreciated the opportunity to experience India’s healthcare system and gain insights into how policy is translated into practice. Delegates from various countries shared their experiences of learning at PGIMER Chandigarh and acknowledged India’s robust healthcare ecosystem. They appreciated the program’s practical and interactive learning methodology, particularly the exposure to innovative initiatives in PGIMER like Green Hospital Initiative, Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO), televidence and telemedicine department. The program highlighted how flagship Government of India initiatives, including the National Health Mission (NHM), Ayushman Bharat, the National Organ Transplant Programme, and the country’s digital health and sustainability initiatives, are translated into practice at one of India’s premier tertiary healthcare institutions. The delegates explored innovative approaches that strengthen health systems while advancing universal health coverage through quality, accessible, and patient-centred care. Excursion visits to ICCC and open hand monument was organised during the program.
Reflecting on the decade-long journey of the initiative, Dr. Sonu Goel remarked, “Over the last ten years, IPHMDP has grown into a globally recognized model for leadership and management training. Rooted in India’s timeless philosophy of ‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam’– the world is one family -the program has gone beyond academic learning to build lasting partnerships, promote mutual trust, and foster international collaboration.” He further highlighted that the program has now trained over 1,850 public health professionals from 97 countries, creating a vibrant global network of health leaders.
The program concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony recognizing the successful completion of the training by all participants. The successful completion of the program once again underscored India’s growing leadership in global public health and reaffirmed PGIMER Chandigarh as a trusted international centre for capacity building, health systems strengthening, and global knowledge exchange.
