Mangaluru: The Department of Public Health at Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), in collaboration with the Edward & Cynthia Institute of Public Health, hosted a national symposium focused on India’s ongoing health challenges and emerging public health strategies. The event saw distinguished speakers and experts engage in meaningful discussions about strengthening the country’s health infrastructure and workforce.
Discussions on disease burden and disaster mitigation
Prof. Dr. Sanjay Zodpey, President of the Public Health Foundation of India, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the growing burden of disease in India. He emphasised the need for a robust public health workforce and the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing critical health issues. “Public health professionals must lead the implementation of programs that address these health challenges while ensuring scalable impact,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Ramachandra Kamath, Head of Community Medicine at Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences, addressed the link between natural disasters and public health. He explained how disasters are turning into crucial moments for development and called on public health workers to engage in disaster mitigation and resilience-building efforts to protect at-risk communities.
International perspectives shared
Fiona Almeida, a researcher from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, shared insights from her work in Southern Africa and the United States. She compared the healthcare challenges in the global north and south, highlighting that while resource availability differs greatly, the universal need for community-centric health approaches remains constant.
Institution leadership supports sustainable health futures
The symposium was anchored by Prof. Amrut R. H., Assistant Professor, and saw active participation from faculty and students of the Department of Public Health. Prof. Dr. Sunita Saldhana, Dean of Yenepoya Allied & Healthcare Professions, welcomed the speakers and participated in panel discussions. Chief Coordinator Prof. Dr. Edmond Fernandes provided an overview of the event, stressing its alignment with India’s goals for a sustainable and resilient healthcare system.
Faculty members including Prof. Ujjwala Gupta and others from the department were also present at the event.
The symposium served as a platform for fostering dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and actionable strategies to address India’s public health challenges through education, policy innovation, and stronger institutional collaborations.