NIHFW is frontrunner in conducting Training, Research, Capacity Building activities: Shri J P Nadda
New Delhi: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, yesterday virtually presided over the 48th Annual Day celebrations of the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) as the chief guest, in the presence of Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, as the Guest of Honor. The Director General of Health Services, Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel also attended the event as a distinguished guest.
The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Known for its education, training, research, and specialized advisory services, NIHFW acts as an 'apex technical institute' as well as a 'think tank' for the promotion of health and family welfare Programmes in the country. New facilities of an Open Gymnasium Park, Aarogya Shakti Park and SAKSHAM- Media Lab were launched at NIHFW during the event.
In his virtual address, Shri Nadda commended NIHFW for being “the frontrunner in conducting training, research and capacity-building activities for the public health professionals, policy makers and administrators in the country.”
Also Read:JP Nadda Monitors progress of Rural Health Training Centre in Najafgarh
He underlined that “the Institute's commitment to capacity-building is evident through its introduction of Doctoral and Master's programs in public health, addressing the urgent need for qualified professionals in the country. NIHFW's research initiatives, and assessment of various government programs have significantly contributed to evidence-based policymaking.”
Shri Nadda also stated that “in tandem with the growing importance of digital learning initiatives, designated as the Nodal Organization for all activities under Mission Karmayogi program, NIHFW has conducted orientation workshops for Ministry/Department/Organization (MDOs) of all organizations of MoHFW in collaboration with Capacity Building Commission (CBC), Integrated Government Online Training (IGOT) and Training Division of MoHFW.
He further congratulated NIHFW for its relevant research activities and the online platform, SAKSHAM- Media Lab for Digital Learning for creating content related to health which reflects the Institute's commitment to modernize healthcare education outreach. He added that “this facility will be a ‘game-changer’ in enabling Digital learning and making healthcare knowledge accessible across the country.”
Highlighting the importance of the National Cold Chain and Vaccine Management Resource Centre (NCCVMRC) in the Institute, Shri Nadda stated that “the Centre is doing a tremendous job of capacity-building of professionals related to providing the services. The Centre is being upgraded into an international centre for excellence. This expansion is a testament to India's leadership in immunization and supply-chain, not just within the country but globally also.”
In his concluding remarks, Shri Nadda stated that " let us all reaffirm our commitment to ensure 'health for all' and strengthening our public health institutions" and urged all to continue playing a crucial role in shaping the future of India's health ecosystem so that "we can build a healthier, stronger and more resilient India."
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Anupriya Patel commended NIHFW “for its unwavering commitment towards strengthening India’s public health landscape and its nearly five decades of excellence in public health education, research, and policy advocacy.”
Underlining the developments, Smt. Patel stated that “the country has entered in a new era of public health landscape, guided by the National Health Policy 2017 and through the implementation of schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and establishment of Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs.” She further added that “through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), remarkable change has been brought about in the lives of common people as the out-of-pocket expenditure has declined significantly, owing to the drugs available at affordable prices through the AMRIT Pharmacies spread across the country.”
Highlighting the strides made in the direction of strengthening the healthcare ecosystem of the country, Smt. Patel stated that “there has been a significant increase in the number of medical colleges in the country since 2014, with the number of medical colleges surging from 387 to 780 today, with almost 101% increase while the number of AIIMS has increased from 6 to 22.” Smt. Patel also stressed that “we are working not only with the curative but also the preventive, promotive and rehabilitative approach towards healthcare in the country.”
She praised NIHFW’s robust training models that also include strengthening the healthcare landscape through trainings of healthcare professionals and preparing them for complex challenges like epidemic and emergency preparedness, anti-microbial resistance and climate change; and also commended the Instituted for continuously updating its faculty with the knowledge of newest technologies and trends in education and research. She congratulated NIHFW for organizing 132 training programs and workshops in diverse areas of Public Health and Health management to train about 4000 health personnel of the Central & State health services, Medical College faculty, Nursing Professionals, Public Sector Undertakings and other government organizations which translates into more than one third increase in the number of training courses from the previous year.
Highlighting the need of qualified public health professionals, Smt. Patel emphasized the need to enhance the capabilities of medical students and the importance of digital learning for the purpose. She underlined the role played by the NIHFW in the success of Mission Karmayogi and its handholding of other institutions for ensuring digital learning for medical professionals that will fill the gap caused by occupation and location. She further added that “the institute's proactive approach in such trainings highlight its dedication to modernizing healthcare education and service delivery.”
Smt. Patel also acknowledged the contribution of the Institute in Swachh Bharat Mission and stated that “it will have positive implications for times to come”. She also added thar “the inauguration of Arogya Park at the Institute will promote maintain a healthy lifestyle that will facilitate moving towards preventive health rather than curative health.”
Speaking at the occasion, Shri Atul Goel highlighted how research has been a key strength of NIHFW and the institute has contributed significantly to policy and practice through evaluation of National Health Programs.
He underlined that while e-learning in medical education is playing important role, more focus should be on practical training of the medical professionals. He also emphasized on the need of basic research through NIHFW and thorough assessment of the institutions’ activities so that better solutions can be found for the emerging and existent challenges. Shri Goel also stressed on the need for including physical activities in the daily lives of people so that quality of life can be ensured.
Prof. Dheeraj Shah, Director, NIHFW presented the key achievements of the Institute of the preceding year and highlighted some of the activities to be undertaken in the future by the Institute. He highlighted that the main objective of NIHFW is to promote health and family welfare programs in the country through education, training, capacity building, research and advocacy for health and family welfare programs launched by the Government of India. He added that “NIHFW is continuing with its core values of imparting knowledge and expanding the ambit of capacity building.”
New initiatives by NIHFW were also unveiled during the event that included: Institution's New Logo, names of Committee halls and release of biannual Hindi magazine “Jan Swasthya Dharna”. Prizes were bestowed upon the best workers of the institute in various categories. A comprehensive eye-screening camp was also organized at the event in collaboration with Dr RP Centre for Opthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi. An exhibition, showcasing various activities of the year was also featured for the Guests from National and International organizations, alumni and retired Faculty and staff of the Institute.
Senior officials of the Union Health Ministry, Prof. V. K. Tiwari, Dean, NIHFW, were also present at the event. Researchers, academicians, innovators, and industry partners from India and abroad also participated, sharing their perspectives and insights.
Background: The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) an autonomous organization, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, acts as an 'apex technical institute' as well as a 'think tank' for the promotion of health and family welfare Programmes in the country. The NIHFW is known for its Education, Training, Research, and Specialized advisory services.
Educational activities: The educational activities of the Institute contribute to Human resource development for better management of health and family welfare programmes in the country. The on campus courses are three-year Postgraduate Degree in Community Health Administration; a two-year Postgraduate Diploma in Health Administration; and a one year Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Management, a two-year Masters in Public Health, Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health Distance Learning Cell of the institute offers Six postgraduate diplomas in management (PGDM-Executive) with specialization(s) in Hospital Management, Health & Family Welfare Management and Health Promotion of 15 months duration through distance learning mode. The courses are need-based and multidisciplinary.
The cell also offers two E-Learning certificate courses namely Professional Development in Public Health and Health Sector Reforms of six months duration and Programme Management for Public Healthcare of three months duration for enhancing the skills and competencies of in service middle level health professionals and the programme managers working under the National Health Mission. The institute also offers the doctoral programme in collaboration with different universities in the field of Public Health and Bio-Medical research.
Training and Workshops: The training courses and workshops (intramural and extramural), numbering around 140-150 organized by the Institute every year with an aim to familiarize the in-service candidates with the goals and objectives of health and family welfare programmes; updating their knowledge and understanding of operational difficulties in implementation and suggesting remedial measures to overcome such constraints.
Research and Evaluation: The Institute gives priority attention to research in various aspects of health and family welfare. The Institute has an Academic Committee and a high level Programme Advisory Committee for ensuring the quality in academic endeavors. The Institute also conducts evaluation studies of National Health Programmes and various other related activities initiated by the Government of India.
Specialized Services: Specialized services of the Institute include clinical services, National Cold Chain Vaccine Management Regional Center, Center for Health Informatics, Skill Lab, National documentation center, SAKSHAM: LMIS, Mission Karmayogi and publications. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) has chosen the Institute as a 'National Nodal Agency' to organize, coordinate and monitor the training Programmes of Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) in the country. The main objective of the clinic is to render Mother and Child Health services.
The clinical work concerning infertility, reproductive disorders, especially endocrinology and sexual dysfunctions deserve mention. NIHFW in partnership with UNICEF through the National cold chain vaccine management resource centre (NCCVMRC) is responsible for the overall maintenance & implementation and monitoring of National cold chain management information system (NCCMIS) across the country including providing helping support to end users. The reference, referral, press clipping and bibliographic services of the National Documentation Centre and the publication, art and projection services of the department of communication complement the activities of the Institute.
Advisory and Consultancy Services: The Director and faculty members of the Institute provide advisory and consultancy services to various national, international and voluntary organizations in various capacities.
Also Read:AIIMS Oncology Conclave 2025: Union Minister Nadda announces 720 new posts for NCI Jhajjar
