First National Student’s Conference of Public Health Association for Students Edification Department of Community Medicine, School of Public Health, PGIMER concluded
PHASECON 2023
Public Health Association for Students Edification (PHASE) – an association formed by the MD, MPH and BPH students of The Department of Community Medicine and School of Public, PGIMER Chandigarh concluded its First National Student’s Conference (PHASECON 2023). Over 200 delegates from all over India participated. The theme of the conference was Implementation of Public Health Management Cadre- Prospects and Challenges. Professor Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER in his inaugural address inspired the delegates to follow the path of commitment and passion. He said that Public Health is important constituent of Internal Security of the country. Comparing the Indian Health System with that of developed countries, he said that we are the best despite all our resource constraints and huge patient loads. He appreciated that PMJAY scheme is helping the treatment of poor patients to huge extent.
Dr. Arun K Aggarwal, professor and Head and chief patron told that PHASECON 2023 is a step towards imparting leadership, management and team building skills to the students and is a strategic activity to fulfill the vision of the department- “To be amongst the top 10 Public Health Schools Globally” . PHASECON 2023 covered a wide range of topics in public health management, with notable speakers and opportunities for networking and partnership-building.
Dr. Atul Kotwal, Executive director, NHSRC, Dr. Sanjay Zodpey, President PHFI, Dr. Suneela Garg, Director, Prof. Head Community Medicine, MAMC, Dr. Ashoo Grover Head, Delivery Research Division, ICMR, Dr. SutapaBandhyopadhayay, Director, IIHMR, Delhi, Dr Himanshu Negandhi Director Academic IIPH Delhi, Dr Rajshree from PCI and Dr Vishal Dogra from Bill and Mellinda Gates Foundation, Mr Sushil Dogra Scientist B from CPCC Chandigarh participated physically and Dr. Himanshu Bhushan Ex Public Health Advisor of NHSRC and Dr. Diwakar Mohan, Associate Scientist, John Hopkins University, USA, Dr Rameshwar, Deputy Director from NCDC Delhi, Mr Chandan Khanna from NGO Health Care Without Harm from USA participated virtually.
Dr Atul Kotwal informed that country is making fast progress towards achieving Comprehensive Primary Health Care and improve quality of care and get the Health and Wellness Centres accredited. He laid emphasis on National Digital Health Mission and Prime Ministers Ayushman Bharat Infra Structure Mission and PMJAY Scheme. Dr Shankar Prinja, Health Economist from the department reinforced the messages in his talk on Achieving Universal Health Care. He explained that change in policies of the current government has increased the tax revenue of the state governments and has empowered the state governments to increase the Public Health Expenditure. Moreover, central funding is given with the conditionalities to spend on the programs designed for the poor and marginalized. The out of pocket expenditure has decreased a lot since 2014. Still there is a big gap and 40% of the population need financial support for which government is planning actively.
Dr Sanjay Zodpey highlighted need to strengthen Public Health Cadre. He also said that Public Health Experts should be skilled to fulfill the needs of public health agencies. Covid pandemic has taught to learn about disease modelling, artificial intelligence also along with other skills. Dr Suneela Garg told the importance of One Health and how human health is linked with the animal health and plant health. Dr Vishal Dogra in his talk informed that Honurable Union Minister of Health has said that the tropical diseases that include, Dengue, Leprosy, Filaria, and Kala Azar should be treated as Priority Tropical Diseases and country should achieve elimination in a timebound manner. Dr Rajshree appealed all organisations to come together to achieve awareness and community mobilization.
Dr Ravindra Khaiwal, Environment Health expert of the department in his panel discussion with experts concluded that climate change is a health crisis and health systems should award it due priority. Recent floods, heavy rainfalls that has led to huge devastation is due to climate change.
Dr Himanshu Bhushan and Dr Sonu Goel in the panel discussion recommended that there is need to make Curriculum of Public Health more skill based and incorporate field based experience. Dr Ashoo Grover, Dr SutapaBandyopadhay, Dr HimandhuNegandhi and Dr Diwakar Mohan – all alumni of the department and now in top positions in their organisations shared their varied and diverse experiences on how to achieve success in public health. Everyone should develop some key skills for which public experts should be known.
Delegated participated in diverse and enthusiastic activities including debate, quiz and scientific poster presentation and research presentation. Delegates from AIIMS Rishikesh bagged maximum awards. Dr. Athulya Ajith and Dr. Teja Rama Krishna won first prize in quiz, Dr. Akanksha Yadav won the debate competition. Dr. Sanjeev Kumar from VMMC Safdarjung backed first position in scientific paper presentation and best poster was presented by Ms. Anushka Tiwari from Govt. Medical College, Ratlam. It was heartening to note that even MBBS students presented their short projects and did exceedingly well showing that current reforms of National Medical Council are paying dividends.
Dr. Giridharan S, Chairperson PHASE, and the organizing committee acknowledged the sponsors Bill and Mellinda Gates Foundation and PCI, State Bank of India, Serum Institute of India, along with other sponsors.
