The stakeholders have demanded to make the National Preventive and Social Education Institute-Nipsom a Public Health University.
They said NIPSM has played an important role in public health education, research and training in the last 50 years since its establishment. It is now becoming the need of the hour to make it a university to further the research activities along with producing skilled and international standard public health professionals in keeping with the developed world. If the university program is started, it will be easy to increase the scope of thematic research programs and create researchers with the health and charity organizations of the country and abroad.
The speakers said these things at a function organized at Mohakhali campus of the capital on the occasion of Nipsom's golden jubilee (50 years). The day-long event featured scientific sessions, discussions on Nipsom's research and contributions in communicable and non-communicable diseases and environmental health.
Nipsom Director Prof. Dr. Md. MA Akmal Hossain Azad, Senior Secretary, Health Care Department, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, was present as the chief guest in the program presided over by Ziaul Islam.
Secretary of Health Education and Family Planning Department was the special guest. Md. Sarwar Bari, Director General of the Department of Health Professor Dr. Md. Abu Jafar and the Director General of the Department of Health Education Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain. Also present were representatives of World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF along with teachers and staff of Nipsom and public health students.
In the discussion held after the opening ceremony, Nipsom Director Prof. Md. Ziaul Islam highlighted various aspects of the institution's 50 years of success. Emphasizes how public health has contributed and can continue to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
He said, at the time of its establishment in 1974, Nipsom started its journey with two postgraduate diploma courses. Currently running nine MPH programs and one MPhil course. Five decades have produced thousands of public health professionals, who are playing an important role in the field of public health in the country and abroad. The institute has completed numerous public health research. Which have been able to contribute at national and international level. Currently Nipsom has 22 academic departments and modern laboratory facilities. Nipsom has maintained a continuum of excellence in public health education, training, research and consultancy services. In recognition, Nipsom highlighted the need to make a specialized public health university. Along with the introduction of Doctor of Public Health course, there is a need to create junior consultant posts in public health services in upazila health complexes, he said.
In the speech of the chief guest, Senior Secretary MA Akmal Hossain mentioned the contribution of Nipsom in the field of creating skilled public health manpower, public health training and research. He said that if the proposal is given in a specific form for the university, the matter will be thought about.
Dr. Secretary of the Department of Health Education. Md. Sarwar Bari said that public health is a fundamental issue in achieving and protecting the good health of people. Nipsom has formed the bulk of the country's public health experts. This institute is the first to offer MPH course on public health. He emphasized that Nipsom should focus on public health research and increase communication and linkages with public health organizations at the national and international levels.
Director General of the Department of Health Professor Dr. Md. Abu Zafar said, Nipsom's contribution to the training of health workers in public health issues and research methods is undeniable. Director General of the Department of Health Education Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain highlighted the leading role of Nipsom in the health management of Bangladesh and highlighted the importance of education, research and training.
Eight research papers and posters of eight other research papers of the two-part scientific session were presented on the occasion. Nipsom Director Prof. Dr. Ziaul Islam and Head of Department of Entomology Professor Dr. Md. Golam Charwar.
