JIPMER to launch School of Public Health

We recently heard of Odisha to have India’s first Public Health University and now it’s JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research) in Puducherry, preparing to launch its own School of Public Health (SPH).

The Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) will assist JIPMER in proceeding with the plan, following a memorandum of understanding signed between the UT’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and HSPH. The resulting collaboration is expected to help JIPMER develop expertise in specific areas such as public health education, strengthening of health systems, ensuring delivery of quality services, innovation and boosting universal healthcare.

The proposed School will be built at an outlay of Rs 150 crore, to be provided over five years. Currently, JIPMER teaches a diploma course in public health. Once Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s approval is received – the institute will also offer masters programme in Public Health from September. Until the campus is ready in about two years, the classes would need to be conducted in alternate facilities. Visiting faculty from HSPH will help conduct classes through distance-learning mode.