Abstract

The field of Public Health Education (PHE) in India is mired with many unanswered questions, foremost of which is whether the current curricular framework, either prescribed by the government or currently practiced by institutions, is satisfactory and works towards people-centric health care. It is paramount to assess the delivery of PHE across institutions in India and whether graduates from these institutions are equipped to pursue the public health careers they had envisioned. The COVID-19 pandemic has further established the need for a responsive Master of Public Health (MPH) curriculum and its delivery leading to a well-trained workforce in this area.

The study sought to map the entire spectrum of MPH programs in India. It also includes a critical appraisal of the current MPH model curriculum proposed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), the adequacy of teaching resources and academic research opportunities, and the existing job opportunities for MPH graduates. The Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (TDPS) approach was used as the broad conceptual frame for the above review. Data on institutions offering MPH was collected online from the university websites, prospectuses, and brochures. The easiest accessible information was related to eligibility, admission, and fees, while details on curriculum, faculty, evaluation, and facilities were difficult to obtain. The lack of information, especially of faculty and facilities on institution websites, needs more transparency and full disclosure. In addition, we undertook online surveys of faculty, alumni, and potential employers. Job listings on 12 job websites were also evaluated to understand the job scenario for MPH graduates.

Raghuraman, G., Jha, J., Ghatak, N., Rahna, K., Nair, V., & Centre for Budget and Policy Studies. (2022). Public Health Education in India: A Study of Master of Public Health Programmes in the Country. In Centre for Budget and Policy Studies.