UoH Impact Public Health Systems In India During COVID-19 Pandemic

Hyderabad, May 2 (Maxim News): University of Hyderabad (UoH) has been running MPH program from year 2013 and students of this programme have been doing yeomen service to country since the first batch passed out in 2015. In the wake of the current Covid-19 crisis they continue to distinguish themselves by working towards social accountability. Eleven (11) students of the MPH Program of School of Medical Sciences of 2016, 2017 and 2018 batches have secured positions of District Epidemiologist in different states during this testing times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Ramavath Anila (MPH 2013-2015) – District Epidemiologist, Nalgonda, D. Mohan (MPH 2013-2015) – District Epidemiologist, Sangareddy, K. Emmanuel (MPH 2013-2015) – District Epidemiologist, Kothagudem, E. Ravikanth (MPH 2016-2018 batch) – District Epidemiologist, Vikarabad, Ms. Anitha Rathod – (MPH 2016-2018) – District Epidemiologist, Sircilla, Dr. Monica Suhasini (MPH 2017-2019 batch) – District Epidemiologist, Kamareddy, Dr. M. Snehalatha (MPH 2017-2019 batch) – District Epidemiologist, Medchal, Dr. K. Nikitha Reddy (MPH 2017-2019 batch) – District Epidemiologist, Wanaparthy, Ms.Arutla Vasavi (MPH 2017-2019 batch) – District Epidemiologist, Ranga Reddy, S Kranthi Kumar (MPH 2017-19 batch) – District Epidemiologist, Jogulamba Gadwal, and Dr. Cornelioush Basumatary. (MPH 2018-2020 batch) – District Epidemiologist, Baksa, Assam

Another 4 members of the outgoing batch (2018 – 2020) are actively working with the Telangana State Government through the WHO-Integrated District Surveillance Project (IDSP) providing technical and desk based support for contact tracing, line listing, spot mapping and active and passive surveillance for Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) including COVID 19 and Influenza like illnesses (ILL). They stand a good chance of being considered for placements once the provisional completion certificate is secured.

Fifteen (15) students of the 2019 batch and second semester MPH are already 1 month into the surveillance activities across various locations in districts of Telangana and they are getting good field-based hands on immersion experience, which is key to public health.

Doctoral Scholars of the Public Health stream have also been assisting the various entities in the containment activities both actively and passively. This is in addition to their individual doctoral research work.

The faculty of the Public Health stream are also working to build capacity among different audiences across the country, region and also international audiences on issues related to the pandemic through webinars and social media interactions. A current webinar attracted 228 attendees for a session on epidemiology. (Maxim News)