The challenges of public health education in India

The Hindu Editorial Analysis
17 March 2025

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health and Education

Challenge: There’s a significant imbalance between supply and demand for jobs in public health, worsened by declining opportunities and a focus on the private sector.

U.S. Policy Changes: The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO and cuts to USAID have disrupted healthcare services, particularly in poorer countries.
Impact on India: India remains largely unaffected due to low reliance on foreign aid (only 1% of health spending). However, funding cuts threaten public health development, impacting job prospects for MPH graduates.

Importance of Public Health: Essential for national health and welfare.
Constitutional Duty: Article 47 mandates the state to improve public health.
Specialized Expertise Required: Effective public health requires specific skills and knowledge.
Trained Workforce Needed: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for dedicated public health professionals.
Beyond Government Needs: Civil society organizations and research institutions also require trained personnel.

Historical Context: Public health education started during colonial times, initially as part of medical training.
Key Institutions: The All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health was founded in 1932, integrating preventive medicine into medical education.

Shortage of Specialists: Community medicine specialists have been few, leading many students to seek MPH degrees abroad.
Low Professional Numbers: Despite studying overseas, the number of public health professionals in India remains low.

Growth of MPH Programs: From one institution in 2000 to over 100 today, driven by initiatives like the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
Government Hiring Slowdown: Although more graduates emerged, government job opportunities for public health specialists have decreased.

Lack of Standardization: No uniform curriculum across institutions.
Limited Practical Exposure: Insufficient hands-on training opportunities.
Faculty Shortages: Not enough qualified teachers in public health.
Geographical Disparities: States like Assam, Bihar, and Jharkhand have few MPH programs, creating inequities.

Mismatch Between Supply and Demand: High competition for limited entry-level jobs.
Limited Public Sector Jobs: Decrease in government positions and challenges in establishing public health management roles.
Private Sector Preference: Focus on management professionals over public health specialists.
Dependence on Foreign Grants: Heavy reliance on international funding for research, which is declining.
Underfunded Programs: National research and health initiatives lack adequate domestic funding.
Quality Concerns: Rapid expansion of MPH programs has led to lower admission standards.
Lack of Trained Faculty: Many instructors lack real-world experience.
No Standardized Curriculum: Absence of a mandatory curriculum or quality oversight.
Regulatory Gaps: MPH programs lack regulation by key educational bodies.

Increase Public Health Jobs: Create more roles at all levels and strengthen government employment in public health.
Establish Regulatory Systems: Form a regulatory body for public health education to set standards and requirements.
Enhance Practical Learning: Incorporate hands-on training in real-world health systems to better prepare graduates.

Need for Expansion: Establish and grow public health institutions in underserved states. A robust local ecosystem is essential for sustainable healthcare development in response to evolving global challenges.