The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW)
I am happy to inform you that I have joined NIHFW from 6th April, 2023 as the Director. I welcome you to The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), an autonomous organization and apex technical institute under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India. Since inception, The NIHFW is an Institute of academic excellence in providing Education, Training, Research, Evaluation, and Specialized advisory services in the field of health and family welfare.
The educational activities of the Institute contribute to human resource development for health in the country. The three full time courses are known for their academic rigor and excellence. These are, a three-year MD in Community Health Administration (CHA); a two-year Post Graduate Diploma in Health Administration (DHA) and a one-year Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health Management (PGDPHM). In addition, NIHFW also offers Post Graduate Diplomas in Management (Executive) of 15-month duration through distance learning mode, duly recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). These are: Hospital Management; Health and Family Welfare Management; Applied Epidemiology; Public Health Nutrition; Health Communication; and Health Promotion. From the Academic year 2024-25, NIHFW is starting a full-time PhD programme in Public Health. We are in the process of launching the Masters in Public Health (MPH) in collaboration with the University of Delhi. Our students receive world class interdisciplinary education and we feel proud of the fact that many of our alumni are working in the best organizations across the nation. This is because we have a pool of dedicated faculty who act as role models for the students and inculcate a spirit of dedication, sincerity and hard work.
The institute conducts training courses and workshops for in-service candidates to familiarize and enhance their knowledge and skills about the management of operational issues in the implementation of various activities in the field of health and family welfare; and to suggest remedial measures to overcome such constraints. The institute also organizes ‘Training of Trainers’ to hone skills of master trainers for various programmes and activities of the MoHFW. Some of the most successful and trainings are being imparted for more than a decade now, and are in great demand. Several new initiatives are: Training programme on Leadership in Infection Prevention and Control for Nursing Professionals (in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University); Foundation training programme for medical officers of various cadres; and Training of Central and State Drug Inspectors (in collaboration with CDSCO) in various administrative and regulatory issues.
Research in emerging areas of health is always our priority. Some of the key research studies include – Effect of deployment of second ANM on improving the performance of service delivery in selected health facilities of Odisha; Development of immunoassays for selected fluoroquinolones antibiotics in water, milk, feed and food by using horseradish peroxidase and colloidal gold as label; and Evaluation of Neem phytochemical extract on toxicity in male rats. The NIHFW also conducts evaluation studies of various related activities initiated by the Government of India. The evaluation studies undertaken in the recent past include Impact assessment of food testing system including the provision of mobile testing labs SoFTeL; Evaluation of capacity building for development of trauma centre facilities in the Government hospitals of National Highways Programme; Third-Party independent monitoring of coverage evaluation survey of immunization; and Evaluation of National Vector Borne Disease (Malaria) Control Project in high endemic areas in North Eastern State (Mizoram) of India. In the coming years, we look forward to join hands with leading Institutes so as to lay greater focus on national and global research.
The Institute is known for its specialized services, including Clinical services, National Cold Chain Vaccine Management Resource Centre, Centre for Health Informatics, Skill Lab, National Documentation Centre. The Institute has been working as a ‘National Nodal Agency’ to organize, coordinate and monitor the training Programmes of Reproductive and Child Health in the country run by the MoHFW, Government of India. The Clinic of the Institute has played a distinguished role in providing Mother and Child Health services, and services related to management of infertility and reproductive disorders, especially endocrinology and sexual dysfunction.
Over the next few years, we want to sustain and consolidate our position as a leading public health Institute in India of global repute. To achieve this goal, we look forward to develop collaborations with leading Institutes and Universities in the field of health and related areas at national and international level. These partnerships should be mutually helpful for enhancing the technical expertise of the faculty, research staff and students through study tours, academic exchange programmes, joint research projects, etc. It would be an honour to receive constructive and critical feedback and suggestions in this regard.
Dr. Dheeraj Shah
Director
