All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Kolkata

By medicalcollege on Mon, 13/Mar/2023 - 12:46 pm
All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Kolkata

All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Kolkata

All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, established in 1932 as a first school of Public Health in South-East Asia region, has been a Pioneer Institute of its kind dedicated to teaching, training, and research in various disciplines of Public Health and allied sciences to ensure capacity building in the area of Public Health. The teaching, training, and research at AIIH&PH have the unique support of its field laboratories, namely, Urban Health Center, Chetla and Rural Health Unit & Training Center, Singur.

The wider canvas available to the Institute has been signified not only by its field laboratories, but also by the diverse disciplines such as Biochemistry and Nutrition, Epidemiology, Health Promotion and Education, Maternal and Child Health, Microbiology, Occupational Health, Public Health Administration, Public Health Nursing, Environmental Sanitation and Sanitary Engineering, Preventive and Social Medicine, Behavioural Sciences, and Statistics operating here.

The achievements and contributions of the Institute have been commensurate with the prime status attached to the Institute by its founders. The list of regular courses offered by the Institute indicates that the Institute has been following a holistic approach to the issue of Public Health.

The Institute has been running a number of Short Courses / Training Programmes for different categories and groups of Health Force on a regular basis in coordination with State Governments/ Central Ministries/ International agencies / etc.

Apart from assuring the nation on the availability of competent Human Resource on Health, and undertaking research to find solutions to the Public Health Challenges, the Institute has undertaken several notable initiatives. This is evident from the following indicative instances.

It is credited for conducting the first general health survey of nearly 7,000 members in 68 villages of West Bengal in 1944 to obtain an integrated picture of health conditions of the people and factors influencing community health.

In 1944, the system of Primary Health Centres as well as Primary Health Care Delivery System in India across the length and breadth of the country was espoused by Sir Joseph Bhore on the basis of his exposure to the Rural Health Centre at Singur.

In the late 40s, AIIH&PH developed low cost pour flush toilets with on-site disposal. It is also credited for the development of a model for maintenance of hand-pumps for community water supply.

The Government of India embarked on health education for family planning methods and distribution of temporary contraceptive measures throughout India only after the Rural Health Unit & Training Center, Singur conducted a proper study on the issue in 1957 and confirmed the need and acceptability of the same.

International Training Network (ITN) Centre at AIIH&PH was established for water and waste management in 1984 as a component of UNDP/World Bank water and sanitation programme.

AIIH&PH served as the Regional Centre for setting up district level laboratories in Eastern and North Eastern Region of the Country for water quality testing under national drinking water mission undertaken by the Department of Rural Development, Government of India.

Development of the Calcutta Model for Street Food Vending in Kolkata (1992-93) based on two years study by the All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health in cooperation with the Calcutta Municipal Corporation under the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme.

Coordination of the National Pilot Programme (1995-2007) of the Department of Health and family Welfare, Government of India on Control of Micronutrient Malnutrition in West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Tripura and Gujarat for baseline situation analysis on micronutrient deficiencies and their causative factors and  formulation of strategies and interventions for prevention and control of micronutrient malnutrition.

The Institute had been a WHO collaborating center for Disaster Management and Central Training Institute for IEC trainings. Moreover, WHO has been engaging faculty of AIIH&PH as resource persons for international training programs in capacity building for health promotion.

The problem of high concentration of arsenic in ground water in Districts of South 24 Parganas and Malda in West Bengal and the development of Arsenicosis in persons drinking the highly contaminated ground water was the highlight of the study conducted by the Institute in collaboration with the School of Tropical Medicine in 2008 under the financial support by the Department of Health, Government of West Bengal and WHO Country Office in India.

The Institute has been serving as the nodal Institute for the North Eastern States of India in Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

This Institute has been actively involved in the training of the State and District level Public Health Officers and Microbiologists working in Public Health Laboratories in the seven North Eastern States and also Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The Institute has also played a Key Role in HIV Sentinel Surveillance under the auspices of the National AIDS Control Program (NACO). The Institute again performed as the nodal Institute for the Seven North Eastern States including the state of West Bengal in estimating the risk of HIV infectivity in different behavioural groups.

The Institute has contributed in epidemic surveillance and containment of communicable diseases. Faculty from this institute pay regular visits to the disaster affected areas to help the local health department and the civil administration in instituting control and containment measures and help organization of rehabilitation and relief measures.

A number of research papers on public health are being published in different indexed Journals every year by the faculty and the students of the Institute.

Campus of the Institute

The Institute has two campuses, one at 110, C R Avenue, Kolkata 700073 and another at JC 27 and JC 27 B, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata -700 089. The former is known as the main campus and the later as B N Campus. In addition to the two campuses, there is a Rural Health Unit and Training Centre at Singur, Hoogly, West Bengal and an Urban Health Centre at Chetla, Kolkata. The Rural Health Unit and Training Centre at Singur apart from working as a training centre and field laboratory takes care of the health need of 64 villages having population of about 1,00,000.  The Urban Health Centre, Chetla also functions as a training centre and field laboratory and takes care of the health need of about 1,25,000 persons.  However, in Chetla the focus is on the slum population of 35,000.  Recently the Institute has taken over the Farraka Barrage Project hospital and is in the process of upgrading the same for better and wider service.

Courses

The All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health has been running two types of courses, one recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the other recognized by the West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS). Even for MCI recognized courses, the certificate/degree is issued by WBUHS. The MCI recognized courses are Diploma in Maternal & Child Welfare, MD (Community Medicine), and Diploma in Public Health. Diploma in Industrial Health, earlier recognized by MCI has been dropped. The other courses run by the Institute are M.Sc. (Applied Nutrition), Diploma in Dietetics, Master of Engineering (Public Health), Master in Public Health (Epidemiology), Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health Management, Diploma in Health Promotion & Education, Master of Veterinary Public Health, Diploma in Public Health Nursing, and Diploma in Health Statistics.

 Administrative Arrangement

The Institute is headed by Dr. Rama Ranjan Pati, Director. On academic issues, he is assisted by Dr. Debashish Dutt, Dean and HODs of various departments. Moreover, important issues are deliberated in the Faculty Council Meetings for a considerate decision. On administrative issues, Dr. Bhashkar Sen, Additional Director and his team provide necessary assistance.

Address for correspondence

All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, 110, Chittaranjan Avenue, Kolkata-700073.

 

HISTORY

Genesis

The high mortality among the British and Indian troops operating in India attracted the attention of British Parliament which set up a Royal Commission in 1860 to visit India. The commission, realizing that the state of health of civilian population was a danger to the troops made recommendations for the improvement of health and sanitary conditions of the country. Consequently, sanitary commissioners were appointed in three major provinces-Bengal, Madras and Bombay. Following on the trend the first chair of Professor of Hygiene was established in the Calcutta Medical College in 1865.

The devastating epidemic of plague in 1896 led to the establishment of Indian Plague Commission. This was followed by gradual awakening to the idea of health, sanitation and prevention of disease. It was resolved that the Medical Officers of Health should have a diploma in public health as a special qualification to discharge their duties successfully. But owing to lack of training facilities in the country, Indian physicians were required to go to London for post-graduate studies in public health. Responding to the growing demand, and taking note of  the report of Plague Commission, Calcutta University decided to initiate the Diploma in Public Health. Dr TN Majumdar became the first Indian Health Officer of Calcutta Corporation, who acquired DPH of Calcutta University.

Sir Leonard Rogers, in 1914, to build up training capacity, proposed that a School of Tropical Medicine be established in Calcutta and another Institute of Hygiene in Bombay. The Governments of India and Bengal with the aid from charities established the School of Tropical Medicine in Calcutta in 1920. The demand for training was partially met by creating a professorship of Hygiene and starting a course of Diploma in Public Health. Sir John Megaw, Director, School of Tropical Medicine, Calcutta, however expressed difficulties in continuing with the DPH training and hoped that a separate Institute of Hygiene would soon be built.

Major General JD Graham, Public Health Commissioner to Government of India, in 1925, made a strong plea for expanding the facilities for specialist public health training in India. Dr. W S Carter on behalf of Rockefeller Foundation offered assistance to build and equip an Institute of Hygiene. The offer was accepted and All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health was formally opened on 30th December 1932 by John Anderson, Governor of Bengal with Lt. Col. A D Stewart as its first Director.

Early Years

The Institute started with four sections – Public Health Administration, Malariology & Rural Hygiene, Vital Statistics & Epidemiology, and Bio-chemistry & Nutrition. Shortly, the fifth section of Maternity & Child Welfare was added with the help of Countess of Dufferin Fund.  The year 1934 saw the establishment of the section of Sanitary Engineering. Post- World War reconstruction plans required immediate industrialization, focussing attention on health of industrial workers and in 1945 Industrial Hygiene was added as another section.

Increasing need of application of bio-metric methods in analysing data – both research and routine, required biostatics to be separated from Epidemiology and become a separate section.

During this period the Institute offered three courses – Diploma in Public Health (DPH) and Diploma in Maternity and Child Welfare (DMCW) for medical graduates and Diploma in Public Health and Hygiene (DPH & Hy) for medical licentiate.

Rural Practice Field

One of the fundamentals in the training of public health is the practical field experience of students both in the urban and rural settings. In the initial years, exposure to urban community was obtained through an arrangement with the corporation of Calcutta and urban Maternity and Child Welfare Centres. Limited rural experience was made available through M & C W centre set up at Lokenath and visit to Singur Health Centre. Singur Health Centre, which was jointly developed by Govt. Of Bengal, District Board, Hooghly and Rockefeller Foundation was acquired by the Institute in 1944.This centre was developed as a demonstration and research centre and a model of primary health centre. Bhore Committee included it in their Rural Health Development Plan. This unit is now designated as Rural Health Unit & Training Centre,  Singur.

Establishment of Blood Bank

While the World War II was on, the Govt of India decided to open at least one Blood Bank in each state. Consequently, the first blood bank was opened at the institute in 1941.The bio-engineering devices for filtration, cold storage and freeze drying of plasma were developed. The unit was transferred to Medical College, Calcutta in 1945.

Post War Development.

MCH project & Urban Health Centre

There was increasing awareness that shortage of trained manpower in Public Health was an impediment to the health of the people. Bhore committee after thorough evaluation of health situation recommended augmenting training facilities in the country. As a result of this, the number of seats for DPH was doubled, specialist courses established and short term refresher experiences set up. Among the university courses the MEPH was started in 1948, DIP Diet in 1949, DIH in 1951, and Diploma in Nutrition in 1953. Several short and refresher course on Laboratory Techniques, Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition, Public Health Engineering. Industrial Health and Biometric Technique were also started.

Another milestone in the progress of training in Public Health was in 1953 when Institute transcended its national horizon and crossed the national boundaries and became the accredited International Training Centre- the result of a cooperative effort between the Govt. of India on one hand and the WHO and UNICEF on the other. Thus the Urban Health Centre at Chetla was ushered in as an urban practice field and international training centre particularly for Maternity and Child Health Workers of south-east Asian countries.

Biochemistry and Nutrition

Role of diet in treatment of diseases was assuming important role but, very few hospitals in India had a dietician. To fill this gap Diploma in Dietetics course was started in 1949.

Similarly with increasing awareness of the importance of nutrition in public health programs, more and more states started establishing divisions of Nutrition in Public Health Departments. To meet the demand initially a three month course in Nutrition was set up in 1948. This was followed by launching of Diploma in nutrition course under Calcutta University in 1954.

Urban Practice Field.

Although municipal experience was available for the DPH students through Corporation of Calcutta , a need was felt for a service agency closely affiliated with the Institute, where  services   could be brought up to a demonstration standard. It was envisaged that such an agency would serve not only as a practice field for teaching and demonstrating to students the modern concepts of an integrated urban health service based on a family centred approach, but also provide a living laboratory for research in urban public health practice. The Urban Health Centre, the first urban health centre in India was opened in 1955.

Post- Independence Period

The department of Biochemistry and Nutrition was given the responsibility of monitoring the ICDS project and field trial of Iron fortified salt in prevention of anaemia in eastern part of the country.

Sanitary Engineering

The first training course for certificate of Public Health Engineering was started in 1947, followed by MEPH course in 1948.In 1971 a certificate course for water and sewage analysis was started.In1975 a certificate course in maintenance of hand pumps and rural sanitation was started.

Statistics

Following its independent status in 1946/the section started giving training in basic and applied statistics to personnel working in fields of medical care and public health.

Industrial Health

Increased industrialization of the country with concomitant problems demanded services of physicians especially trained to combat those problems. The diverse resources available in the institute joined hands with ICMR and a three month certificate course in Industrial Health was initiated. The response to the course was encouraging and a university diploma course in Industrial Health was established.

Public Health Nursing

In order to meet the need of comprehensive health nursing services covering maternal and child health, school health and communicable disease, a certificate course in Public Health Nursing (CPHN) was introduced in 1953. With the changing trends in nursing services, another course of three month duration was initiated leading to a certificate in Public Health Nursing Supervision (CPHNS).

MISSION

  • To develop competent workforce for public health services through teaching, training, and research in the relevant fields on a regular basis.
  • To strive for solutions based on harmonious blend of capacity development, knowledge dissemination, and community engagement taking the best technological advances into consideration to improve community health and hence quality of life for all.
  • To develop model centres for health services to community, ensuring universal coverage for primary health care.

VISION

To be a centre of excellence globally for Education, Training and Research in the field of Public Health. 

 

University
West Bengal University of Health Sciences,Kolkata
Management
Government
Address
All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, 110, Chittaranjan Avenue, Kolkata
District
Kolkata
State
West Bengal
Pin
700073
Contact
033-22413954/2888/2539
Email
[email protected]
Fax
033- 0091-2241-8717 (D),2241-2888
Website
http://aiihph.gov.in/
Course

Diploma in Health Education

Central Health Education Bureau, New Delhi

A Diploma in Health Education is a program designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to educate others about health-related topics. This field plays a crucial role in promoting health and wellness, preventing diseases, and fostering healthy behaviors within communities. Here are some key aspects related to a Diploma in Health Education:

  1. Program Duration: The duration of a diploma program in health education can vary, but it is typically a short-term program that may last from a few months to a year.

  2. Eligibility Criteria: Eligibility criteria for enrolling in a Diploma in Health Education program may vary by institution, but many programs require a minimum educational qualification, such as a high school diploma or an equivalent.

  3. Curriculum: The curriculum of a health education diploma program covers a range of topics related to public health, health promotion, communication strategies, behavioral change theories, and program planning and evaluation. Students may study topics such as nutrition education, sexual health education, substance abuse prevention, and community health.

  4. Practical Training: Many health education diploma programs include practical training components, such as internships, fieldwork, or community outreach projects. This hands-on experience allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings and develop effective communication and teaching skills.

  5. Health Education Settings: Graduates with a Diploma in Health Education can work in various settings, including schools, community organizations, healthcare facilities, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. They may be involved in developing health education programs, conducting workshops, creating educational materials, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

  6. Career Opportunities: Career opportunities for individuals with a diploma in health education may include roles such as health educator, community health worker, public health educator, school health coordinator, or wellness program coordinator.

  7. Professional Development: Continuing education and staying updated on current health trends and research are important for health educators. Some individuals may choose to pursue further education, such as a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Public Health or Health Education, to advance their career and take on leadership roles.

  8. Accreditation: It's important to ensure that the institution offering the diploma program is accredited and recognized. Accreditation ensures that the program meets certain quality standards and is recognized by employers and the field of public health.

A diploma in health education provides a foundation for individuals who are passionate about promoting health and well-being in communities. Developing effective communication skills, cultural competency, and an understanding of health disparities are key components of a successful career in health education.

Diploma in Industrial Health

A Diploma in Industrial Health is a specialized program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to address health and safety concerns in the industrial workplace. This diploma focuses on understanding and managing health-related issues that may arise due to occupational exposures in industrial settings. Here are key aspects related to a Diploma in Industrial Health:

  1. Program Duration: The duration of a diploma program in Industrial Health can vary, but it is typically a short to mid-term program that may last from a few months to a year.

  2. Eligibility Criteria: Eligibility criteria for enrolling in a Diploma in Industrial Health program may vary by institution, but many programs require a minimum educational qualification, such as a high school diploma or an equivalent. Some programs may also have specific prerequisites related to health or science.

  3. Curriculum: The curriculum of a diploma program in Industrial Health covers a range of topics related to occupational health and safety. Common subjects include industrial hygiene, workplace hazards and risk assessment, occupational health legislation, emergency response and first aid, ergonomics, and health promotion in the workplace.

  4. Practical Training: Many industrial health diploma programs include practical training components. Students may engage in site visits, simulations, and hands-on exercises to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world industrial settings.

  5. Career Opportunities: Graduates with a Diploma in Industrial Health can pursue careers in occupational health and safety roles within various industries. They may work as industrial health and safety officers, occupational health nurses, safety coordinators, or consultants helping organizations comply with health and safety regulations.

  6. Professional Development: Staying updated on occupational health and safety regulations, industry standards, and emerging technologies is crucial for professionals in industrial health. Some individuals may choose to pursue further education, such as a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety or related fields.

  7. Accreditation: It's important to ensure that the institution offering the diploma program is accredited and recognized. Accreditation ensures that the program meets certain quality standards and is recognized by employers and regulatory bodies in the field.

  8. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Professionals in industrial health need to have a good understanding of local and international occupational health and safety laws and regulations to ensure that workplaces adhere to appropriate standards.

Given the importance of workplace safety, individuals interested in a Diploma in Industrial Health should choose programs that cover a comprehensive range of topics relevant to occupational health and safety. Practical experience and exposure to real-world industrial settings are valuable components of such programs.

Diploma in Maternity & Child Welfare

All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Kolkata

A Diploma in Maternity and Child Welfare is a specialized program that focuses on providing healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills required to care for mothers and children during the maternity period and early childhood. This field addresses various aspects of maternal and child health, emphasizing preventive care, healthcare promotion, and the management of health issues specific to this population.

The curriculum of a Diploma in Maternity and Child Welfare typically covers the following areas:

  1. Antenatal Care: Understanding and providing care to pregnant women before childbirth, including regular check-ups, counseling, and education on healthy pregnancy practices.

  2. Intrapartum Care: Learning about the process of childbirth, including labor and delivery, and acquiring skills to assist and support mothers during this critical phase.

  3. Postnatal Care: Providing care to mothers and infants after childbirth, monitoring their health, and offering guidance on breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, and newborn care.

  4. Neonatal Care: Understanding the unique health needs of newborns, including the prevention and management of common neonatal conditions.

  5. Child Health and Development: Addressing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children, including growth monitoring, immunizations, and developmental assessments.

  6. Nutrition in Maternity and Child Welfare: Emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children, and addressing issues related to malnutrition.

  7. Family Planning and Reproductive Health: Providing education and services related to family planning, contraception, and reproductive health.

  8. Health Education and Promotion: Educating mothers and families on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing common health issues.

  9. Community Health: Understanding the role of community-based healthcare in promoting maternal and child welfare, including outreach programs and community engagement.

  10. Legal and Ethical Aspects: Understanding the legal and ethical considerations in providing healthcare services to mothers and children.

These programs are often designed for healthcare professionals such as nurses, midwives, and other allied health professionals who wish to specialize in maternity and child welfare. The goal is to equip healthcare providers with the skills necessary to contribute to the well-being of mothers and children, both in clinical settings and community environments.

Career opportunities for individuals with a Diploma in Maternity and Child Welfare include working in maternity hospitals, community health centers, family planning clinics, and other healthcare settings that focus on maternal and child health.

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