IPH Bengaluru team attend 6th NCTOH

IPH Bengaluru team attend 6th NCTOH

by | Feb 21, 2024 | Blog, Chronic Health Conditions, Latest Updates

Faculty and staff from the Cluster on Chronic Health Conditions & Public Policy at the Institute of Public Health (IPH) Bengaluru attended the 6th National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH) organized by the International Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), Delhi. The conference witnessed participation from representatives of government agencies, academia, civil-society organizations, and individuals working on tobacco control and public health research.

Dr. Upendra Bhojani, Faculty IPH Bengaluru and DTB/Wellcome Trust India Alliance Senior Fellow presented a couple of paper and a poster in the conference. These presentations dealt with ‘gender and tobacco’ as well as findings from his DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance intermediate fellowship work: the “Deciphering Epidemic of Epic Proportion” (DEEP) project (2018-2023). Recognizing the unique approach and methods used in the DEEP project as well as the long-standing work in tobacco control, the conference organizers conferred a “champions award” to IPH Bengaluru for its significant contributions for tobacco control.

 Mr. Anand Kumar, a Research Officer at the IPH Bengaluru presented a paper based on the findings from the DEEP project that dealt with the role of tobacco businesses in public policy over time in Indian states. Dr. Lathadevi Chilgod of IPH Bengaluru presented about lessons from the Anusthana project – a DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance Early Career Fellowship awarded to Dr Pragati Hebbar (2018-2023) – about co-production of knowledge about tobacco control amongst diverse actors.  She also presented a poster based on the findings from the DEEP project on concerns of Indian parliamentarians about tobacco over 1990-2017 period.

 Dr. Ketki Shah, a doctoral student with the IPH Bengaluru and the Trans-Disciplinary University of Health Sciences and Technology presented a poster about an integrative review of literature about factors shaping livelihood choices of workers in tobacco sector.

The conference also featured an art exhibit “Tobacco & Society” featuring six pencil-on-paper drawings by Dr. Upendra Bhojani locating tobacco use within historical and socio-cultural contexts. The exhibit engaged several delegates on issues related to tobacco use and control and received appreciation.

IPH Bengaluru staff participated in several conference sessions and networked with delegates across various institutions and states. On the whole, they had a wonderful opportunity to learn, network and contribute to tobacco control through this conference. We acknowledge the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance fellowships awarded to Dr Upendra Bhojani (No. IA/CPHS/22/1/506533) and Dr Pragati Hebbar (No. IA/CPHI/22/1/506537) for supporting travel and participation of IPH Bengaluru staff in this conference.

 

Launch of IPH as TBPPM Learning Network, India Chapter National Secretariat

Launch of IPH as TBPPM Learning Network, India Chapter National Secretariat

by | Dec 8, 2023 | Blog, Health Services, Latest Updates

“Launch of IPH as TBPPM Learning Network, India Chapter National Secretariat” 

Fostering Collaboration for TB Prevention and Care

In a significant stride toward advancing TB prevention and care efforts in India, the Institute of Public Health Bengaluru (IPH Bengaluru) was officially unveiled as the National Secretariat to host the TB Public Private Mix Learning Network (TBPPM-LN), India Chapter.

About TBPPM-LN India:
The TBPPM-LN, an offshoot of the global initiative launched in 2021, has rapidly grown into a dynamic community of practitioners focusing on private sector engagement in TB care. With India carrying the highest burden of TB and large proportion of initial care seek being the private sector, PPM in TB became imperative. The need for cross learning in TB PPM space by all stakeholders in India led to the establishment of a dedicated chapter within the global network. The formation of an Advisory Board set the roadmap for the TBPPM-LN India chapter.
The TBPPM-LN India chapter, a neutral platform is dedicated to documenting PPM action (Launch at Union Conference 2023, Paris was 1. TB PPM Compendium – compilation of TB-PPM initiatives that presents the wealth of PPM lessons from India and 2. Documentary- TBPPM Virtual Field Visits), providing targeted learning opportunities (Profiling of dynamic NGO database for PPSA eligibility), facilitating community interaction, implementing mentor-mentee program, hosting webinars, and digitizing the knowledge platform (repository of TB PPM resources). These activities aim to accelerate TB-related initiatives across India and bring us closer to the common goal of ending TB.

IPH Bengaluru’s Role:
Selected after a meticulous evaluation of three institutions (IPH, ISB, PSPH), IPH Bengaluru emerged as the ideal choice based on its expertise in public health research, learning management, capacity to host and alignment with organizational priorities. The IPH is a public health research, non-profit organization established with a vision to create an equitable, integrated, decentralized, and participatory health system within a just and empowered society.  

The National Secretariat launch event marked a pivotal moment in the TBPPM-LN India journey, aligning with the local context, fostering domestic fundraising for future sustainability and aligning with CTD/NTSU and their ongoing PPM efforts.


Launch Highlights:
The official launch event was held virtually on Nov 23rd, witnessed the presence of esteemed members, including the TBPPM Advisory Committee, TB PPM Global team/India team, PPM Implementers (REACH, DFY, WHP), Head of IAPSM, NGOs, a government official from NTSU and IPH staff. Engaging discussions, insightful presentations, and collaborative networking were the hallmarks of the occasion.

Key actionable points included were:

  • Knowledge dissemination through articles, blogs, newsletters, and feature stories.
  • Nurture a community of practitioners in their TB PPM journey.
  • Facilitate and coordinate South-South collaboration.
  • Bringing together various stakeholders to work on a particular research agenda.

Future Prospects: 

With the launch of the TBPPM India National Secretariat, the network is poised for significant progress. IPH Bengaluru will play a central role in coordinating TB PPM activities and generating knowledge products that will benefit TB PPM practitioners across the nation.

IPH faculty member Dr. Upendra Bhojani participated in ITM Colloquium in Katmandu, Nepal

IPH faculty member Dr. Upendra Bhojani participated in ITM Colloquium in Katmandu, Nepal

by | Dec 6, 2023 | Blog, Chronic Health Conditions, Latest Updates

Dr. Upendra Bhojani, Faculty & DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance Senior fellow at the Institute of Public Health Bengaluru participated in the 64th ITM Colloquium 2023. The Colloquium, jointly organised by the Institute of Tropical Medicine (Antwerp) and the Nepal Health Research Council in Kathmandu (20-23 November 2023), focused on the theme of “Understanding the Global Landscape of Disease Burden in the Context of Climate Change”. Upendra presented on how tobacco impacts environment throughout its lifecycle (cultivation, curing, production, consumption, product waste) and how this signifies a wicked public policy problem requiring high-level inter-sectoral coordination.  On the first day, a meeting was organised of ITM alumni. Upendra (being a PhD alumnus 2010-2016) also participated in the meeting. Upendra also put up an art exhibit themed ‘Tobacco & Society’ comprising of six pencil-on-paper drawings with curated text locating tobacco within sociocultural and historical contexts. Upendra gave a talk as part of the ITM Alumni meeting using these drawings.

Health Equity Network India (HENI) – 23rd Equilogues

Health Equity Network India (HENI) – 23rd Equilogues

by | Dec 4, 2023 | Blog, Health Equilogues, Latest Updates

Date

25-January-2024 Thursday

Register Now

Time

3:30-5:00 PM IST

Theme: Health of Adivasi communities in Chamarajanagar southern India, Experiences and Perspective of the Zilla budakattu Girijana Abhivruddhi Sangha (ZBGAS)

Background: The 23rd Equilogue of the Health Equity Network India will introduce the work done by Academia and indigenous social movements. Our decade-old work on health and health care issues of indigenous communities is based on participatory approaches and the coproduction of research knowledge to be used for policy engagement for new programmes or suitable modification for existing programs. Our intent is to include the voices and lived experiences of the communities in the design and implementation of the programmes meant for their betterment. A brief introduction to our work is attached.

Format: A Panel Discussion will feature members of the Zila Budakattu Girijana Abhivruddhi Sangha (ZBGAS) of Karnataka. Panelists include Dr. C Made Gouda (Secretary ZBGAS), Mr. Muttiah (President Adivasi Samanvay Mach, a collective of  400 Forest Associated Tribal communities across India), and Mrs. Puttamma (Member district Forest Rights Act Implementation Committee, Chamarajanagar). The panel will be moderated by C Mahadeva from the Institute of Public Health. The panel will be followed by a Q&A with the audience.

Speakers

Dr. C Made Gowda

Dr. C Made Gowda

Dr. C Madegowda is a social scientist and adivasi leader has been involved in the indigenous community-based organisation since the beginning. He is also part of state level /district forest rights act implementation committee, Vice president LAMPS BR hills, Member District Tribal Health Navigator programme Chamarajanagar, Secretary biligiri ranganatha swamy soligara samskarana kendra. He works with Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) Bangalore as a post-doctoral fellow and project manager.

Mr. Muttiah

Mr. Muttiah

Mr. Muttiah is an activist, and a Adivasi leader. He has worked extensively with ZBGAS and soliga Abhivruddhi Sangha from grass roots. he has authored a book chapter related to tribal communities, member subdivisional level forest rights act committee  Kollegal member district Chamarajanagar  district child rights protection committee.

Mrs. Puttamma

Mrs. Puttamma

Mrs. Puttamma is the president of the taulka tribal women’s association she is one of the women leaders from the Soliga community. She is an active participant in various meetings with district administration. she also works with other two Adivasi communities (Jenu kuruba and Betta Kuruba) in Chamarajanagar.

Moderator

Mr. C Mahadev

Mr. C Mahadev

Mr. C Mahadev (Community Engagements Specialist Institute of Public Health). He is the former president of ZBGAS, presently the coordinator for 6 southern Indian states for Adiavsi Samnvay manch Bharath New Delhi. He is working with public and policy engagement for CTRITH a team science grant by DBT/Wellcome/ India Alliance.

The panel discussion will be in kannada the conversation will be translated into in Hindi and English.

IPH Bengaluru Annual Day Oration 2023

IPH Bengaluru Annual Day Oration 2023

by | Aug 9, 2023 | Blog, Events, IPH Annual Day oration series, Latest Updates

Date

01-September-2023

Time

3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Venue

IPH Bengaluru Campus

We are thrilled to invite you to the ‘Annual Day 2023’ of the Institute of Public Health Bengaluru. This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate 18 years of dedication and excellence in the field of public health. We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to our valued collaborators, committee members, adjunct faculty, honorary associates, ex-employees, well-wishers, and staff who have been an integral part of our journey.

The IPH Bengaluru Oration series is an event open to the public. Please feel free to share the information with others in your networks

About Orator

Pathogens, People & Planet

Pranay Lal

Pranay Lal

Pranay Lal is an Indian author: ‘Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent’ and ‘Invisible Empire: The Natural History of Viruses’ have gained prominent global recognition. A trained biochemist, he has worked in nonprofit sectors across public health, environment and climate change

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National Consultation on ‘Implementation of Tobacco Control Policies in India’

National Consultation on ‘Implementation of Tobacco Control Policies in India’

by | Aug 8, 2023 | Anusthana: Scaling Implementation of Tobacco Control Laws, Blog, Chronic Health Conditions

India has comprehensive tobacco control policies in place to address the growing problem of tobacco use, but their effectiveness differs among states due to diverse socio-economic, demographic, cultural, political, commercial, and geographical factors. Using a realist lens to understand what works, for whom and why in tobacco control, the Anushthana team at the Institute of Public Health Bengaluru (IPH) in association with the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) organized a two-day national consultation on tobacco control policies at The Chancery Pavilion, Bangalore from 6-7 July, 2023.

The consultation brought together state-level government officials, public health experts, researchers, academicians, civil society organizations, and tobacco control advocates to design strategies to curb tobacco use and promote public health. On the first day, Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt of Karnataka, graced the occasion by unveiling a short documentary and a policy brief developed by the research team at IPH Bengaluru. The consultation had three panel discussions: 1) Sustainability and scale up of current good practices related to tobacco control policy implementation, 2) Policy recommendations, newer initiatives & State level COTPA amendments, and 3) Strategies to counter persisting challenges in implementing COTPA, NTCP and newer legislations, including a session on the political economy of tobacco by Dr. Upendra Bhojani and a group activity on recommendations for the updation of the COTPA Law enforcers manual.

Keeping in line with a focus on policy guided by implementers’ wisdom, one of the key strengths of the consultation was the panel discussions consisting of state nodal officers working in tobacco control, civil society members, academia, and the medical community of various Indian states who shared the context-specific facilitators and barriers they faced. The event provided a platform for participants to voice their opinions, concerns, and recommendations. The knowledge and insights gained from this consultation will be instrumental in shaping evidence-based policies and programs to reduce tobacco consumption and its associated health risks. It is now imperative to translate the ideas and recommendations generated at the consultation into tangible actions, forging a path towards a tobacco-free future.

Next steps

In order to sustain the consultation’s momentum and progress, the upcoming activities include sharing the recommendations from the consultation with the Ministry of Health, Government of Karnataka to operationalize them in the state, sharing the recommendations on updating law enforcement manual at the national level, sharing the documentary for training purposes, and submitting the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (PECA) guidelines to the Union Ministry for further action.