[afro-nets] Supercourse Newsletter, November 27, 2005 (3)

[Wendy Holmes <holmes@burnet.edu.au>]

Supercourse Newsletter, November 27, 2005 (3)
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Dear Kris,

I don't think that's completely true. India has many extraordi-
nary examples of people from more affluent backgrounds who have
been dedicated to participatory public and community health
processes that represent fantastic examples for others to learn
from.

I am thinking, for example, of the Aroles at Jamkhed in Ma-
harashtra, or Dr Pingapani Manorama of CHES in Madras, or Shya-
mala Natraj of SIAAP in Madras. There are many other inspiring
examples.

There are even some examples of governments that have invested
in public health with excellent outcomes (e.g. Kerala). But
there are more Indian state governments that don't take their
public health responsibilities seriously - this is more signifi-
cant than individuals.

But I do agree there is a need for more schools of Public Health
in India - and a recognition that it is not only doctors who
should be eligible for post-graduate study in public health, as
tends to be the case currently in India.

Best wishes

Wendy Holmes MB BS MSc
Deputy Director Technical Programs
Centre for International Health
Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health
Alfred Medical Research & Education Precinct (AMREP)
Commercial Road, Melbourne 3004
GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Australia 3001
Tel: +61-3-9282-2145 (office)
Fax: +61-3-9282-2144
Home phone: +61-3-9689 2363
mailto:holmes@burnet.edu.au
Time zone: 10 hours ahead of GMT