It has been more than 15 years after the Institute of Public Health (IPH), a not-for-profit academic-research institute, has been constantly working improving health standards of the whole population in both Karnataka as well as at national level. Their three major strategies include research and action, education and policymaking and the Institute has been lauded for its work, both by the State Government and Central governments for their various policies.
“The Institute was founded with a vision to create an equitable, integrated, decentralised, responsive and participatory health system, within a just and empowered society. To achieve this, we are constantly working towards strengthening health policy and systems to ensure healthy communities through a team of committed and value-based professionals,” said Dr Upendra Bhojani, Assistant Director, Institute of Public Health.
“Our work is along the lines of community health, research and policy and not a service based work like NGOs. However, our research and expertise impacts a larger part of the society,” he explained.
The Institute’s e-learning program is hit among healthcare professionals as more than 600 professionals from across the country have registered to learn and improve their current strengths.
Among the Institute's achievements include road safety and tobacco control. Its Urban Health Action Research Project has also been lauded. “Urban Health Action Research Project (UHARP) team has been working in K.G. Halli since 2009, to improve access to quality healthcare for local residents by working with the community, public and private health providers and the higher authority, said Dr Bhojani.
“The team started working in the area by conducting a census in ward no 30, KG Halli, to understand the socio-demographic and economic status of the community as well as the illness profile, health-seeking behaviour of patients in the area,” he added.
IPH has produced about 150+ research publications in national and international journals, book chapters and monographs.Elaborating more on policymaking, Dr Bhojani explained, “IPH consciously work towards bridging the gap between research and practice – a classic divide in health. We bring out research briefs, fact sheets and policy briefs based on sound empirical research (synthesis) so that quality research guides public policy.”
The Institute in partnerships with credible national and international organisations and organises a series of national conference on bringing Evidence into Public Health Policy (EPHP) that brings together health researchers, practitioners and policymakers under the same roof.
“So far, three such conferences have been organised focusing on three most relevant themes in public health in India. Like National Rural Health Mission (2010); Strengthening health systems for universal health coverage (2012) and equitable India: All for health and wellbeing (2016),” he summed up.
