OdishaPlus Bureau
A career in health sector till the beginning of 21st Century was meant to be pursuing clinical medicine courses like MBBS, BDS et al. However, in the fag end of 20th century, a new career vista in health sector gained currency. Public Health as a career concept arrived on the Indian scene. But, that was still considered as a part of clinical medicine and was branded as Social and Preventive Medicine or Community Medicine and was limited to those with a medical degree.
What Is Public Health?
Public health is a discipline built on an academic tradition of “inquiry” involving research, teaching and professional practice to prevent disease and promote health in populations.
Public Health Arrival In India
Public health arrived in India in the year 1997. Two major disease outbreaks (Cholera in Delhi and Plague in Surat) in 6-yr gap prompted the Union Government to constitute a National Apical Advisory Committee (NAAC) in 1995.
The public health surveillance gained top prominence post the COVID-19 pandemic and other (re) emerging diseases due to increased interaction between human-animal-environment.
On the demand for public health courses in India, renowned public health expert and President, Board of Governors, AIPH University Bhubaneswar, Dr Pinaki Panigrahi says, “It is up to the student’s training and imagination. Many jobs are vacant in India and worldwide due to unavailability of trained professionals. Quite a few are being filled with “semi”-skilled persons. Government, national and international NGOs/agencies, pharma companies, research and teaching institutions, even high level policy and advisory bodies function with the expertise of highly trained public health professionals.”
“At masters level, students of AIPHU get a robust and well rounded training in the key areas of public health including epidemiology, biostatistics, health systems, socio-behavioral health, health economics and environmental health so that they are ready to take up any professional job”, informs Dr Panigrahi on the Masters in Public Health course of AIPH University Bhubaneswar.
“In fact, several MPH graduates (without any higher degree like PhD or post-doctoral experience) have become MPH teaching faculty at other universities in our state and outside. Our PhD students are required to become leaders in their field to assume any teaching, research job anywhere in the world. In fact, many AIPH graduates just with an MPH have settled in the U.S. and other countries with excellent jobs”, Dr Panigrahi elaborates further.
Public Health Demand
In the year 1997, there were only 2 institutes in the country that were offering Master in Public Health (MPH) courses.
But by clocking a 3000 percent rise in a period of 25 years, the number of institutes has grown to 62 in 2022.
The ratio of faculty number to student enrolled was 1:0.1 in 1997, now the proportion is over 1:42. The shooting up of the faculty to student ratio puts the glare on growing demand for the course in Indian market.
Advantage Non-Science Streams?
As per the NHP 2017, public health management training to students with sociology, economics, anthropology, nursing, hospital management and communications background will constitute a major part of the public health workforce.
Where To Study?
AIPH University figures prominently among the four institutes that offer courses on Public Health in Odisha.
The leading institute has institutional tie-up with Georgetown University-USA. Many world experts from Telethon Kids Institute-University of Western Australia and several American, and Indian institutions teach and conduct research at AIPHU that has large field sites and DSIR recognition for research. Students can acquire expertise in theoretical as well as hands-on practical experience through regular seminar and workshops. It has a state-of-art infra facilities and ultra modern labs.
The University offers undergraduate degrees, post graduate or master degree and PhD programs on Public Health.
Eligibility
The minimum eligibility for 3-year Bachelor in Public Health is 10+2 pass with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as subjects.
Or an individual holding a 3-years or 2 years diploma in Allied Health Sciences after Class 10th/SSLC.
Master in Public Health: The minimum eligibility is a 3 years bachelor’s degree.
However, preference will be given to Graduates with post graduate degree/diploma in a health related or equivalent discipline OR Graduates with Medical/ Para-medical degree OR Graduates with work experience in the field of public health.
PhD, Public Health: Minimum academic qualification is a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade “B” in the UGC 7-point scale. A relaxation of 5% will be given to candidates belonging to OBC, SC & ST candidates.
Selection Process
Selection is based on the academic credentials and performance in the Common Entrance Test.
Admission Query
Students can apply for online admission at the address below. Email: admissions@aiph.ac.in
The online Application fees is Rs. 500 (For SC/ST Application fees is Rs. 300)
Career Prospects
A master’s degree in public health will enable an individual to work at hospitals and other health facilities that handles notions like wellness, illness, nutrition, and complete health consciousness.
Many pvt firms hire social workers having a master’s degree in public health to place them in different sections for case management.
With obesity and diabetes looming large, the government is encouraging educators to earn a master’s degree in public health to administer health education at schools, nonprofits, and private organizations.
The job prospect is high in pharmaceutical companies, managed care organizations and other health finance organizations. They are eligible for following jobs in Pvt sector.
- Clinical Dietitian jobs.
- Emergency Coordinator jobs.
- Pediatrician jobs.
Public Health Jobs In Govt
Opportunities galore for public health professionals trained in health policy and management in National Centre for Disease control, ICMR, NVBDCP, state, and local health departments. Besides, they can also work in university health sciences centers or hospitals.
An MPH holder is eligible for following jobs.
- Biostatistician
- Health Inspector
- Medical Officer
- Medical Epidemiologist
- Entomologist