Global Public Health Students from Ohio State University in Manipal

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, May 29, 2014: Nineteen students from the USA interested in studying challenges and solutions to Indian Public Health issues are currently on the Manipal University campus for a month long visit to the Department of Public Health.   They have made many field visits including trips to the Primary, Community Health Centers, and Hospitals in the Udupi district to study the various governmental programs for the health and wellbeing of women, children, and patients suffering from communicable diseases such as HIV, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.  The students also had field visits to study occupational health issues facing fisherwomen and cashew factory workers in the area.  These field visits were directed by Dr. Ramachandra Kamath, Head of the Department of Public Health, Manipal University.

 

This is the second year of the highly successful program that was started last year and Dr. H. N. Nagaraja, Chair of Biostatistics, The Ohio State University (OSU), is again leading the group of students.   This formal exchange began with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2013 by Dr. Michael Bisesi, Senior Associate Dean, OSU College of Public Health and Dr. H. Vinod Bhat, Pro Vice Chancellor, Manipal University.  The two institutions held a joint workshop on Occupational and Environmental Health during December 2013.  Collaborative research activities between the Public Health faculty from MU and OSU that investigate Indian Environmental and Occupational Health issues are also in progress.

By Dr.Edmond Fernandes, Medical Spokes Person