Media Release

Mangaluru, Apr 30: The department of public health, Yenepoya Deemed to be University organized a national symposium in association with Edward & Cynthia Institute of Public Health on Current challenges in health in India with recent public health updates. Prof Dr Sanjay Zodpey, president, Public Health Foundation of India, Prof Dr Ramachandra Kamath, professor and head, department of community medicine, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences, Fiona Almeida, researcher, University of Massachusetts Amherst were the speakers at the symposium.

Prof Zodpey spoke on the burden of diseases in India and how public health as a strong workforce is crucial to fight the disease burden besides also indulging in implementation of various programmes. He highlighted the importance of public private partnership in achieving these goals. Dr Kamath discussed how various disasters is becoming a watershed moment for development and why public health workers need to look at plugging gaps in disasters and also mitigating disasters to reduce vulnerabilities and at-risk populations.

Fiona shared her experiences of global health in Southern Africa and also learnings from the United States and how challenges are different in the global north and global south.

Prof Dr Sunita Saldhana, dean, Yenepoya Allied & Healthcare professions welcomed the resource persons and held interactions with the speakers. Prof Dr Edmond Fernandes, chief coordinator gave an overview of the symposium and how its integral to India’s sustainable futures, Prof Amrut R H, assistant professor anchored the programme, Prof Ujjwala Gupta, assistant professor & others from the department of public health, Yenepoya Deemed to be University were present.