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Indian Public Health Association (IPHA)
West Bengal State Branch
Overview of the Indian Public Health Association (IPHA)
The Indian Public Health Association (IPHA) is the premier professional body in India dedicated to advancing public health practice, research and policy. It was conceived in the context of the emerging public health system after India’s independence, when there was a recognized need for a national forum for public health professionals to share knowledge, advocate improvements, and strengthen health services.
First national meeting & inauguration:
The Association’s inaugural meeting was held on 29 September 1956, inaugurated by Smt. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur (then Union Health Minister), with key leadership from stalwarts like Dr. B.C. Roy and other public health leaders.
Headquarters:
The registered office of IPHA has been at 110, Chittaranjan Avenue, Kolkata, West Bengal since its inception.
Mission:
IPHA promotes and advances public health and allied sciences nationwide, facilitating academic exchange, policy dialogue, training, and application of evidence-based public health practice.
West Bengal State Branch — History & Evolution
Establishment and Early Roots
- State Branch formation: The West Bengal State Branch is one of the active state units of IPHA. Although the national association was formed in 1956, the West Bengal State Branch has been active for many decades as part of IPHA’s decentralized structure of state and local branches that carry out region-specific activities.
- Branch identity: The West Bengal State Branch plays a key role in promoting public health practice, research, training, and community health initiatives within the state. It connects local health professionals with national IPHA goals and facilitates wider professional engagement.
Growth & Activities over the Years
- Annual State Conferences: The State Branch organizes regular Annual State Conferences (often called WB IPHACON), bringing together public health professionals, researchers, students, and policymakers to discuss pressing public health issues. For instance, the 64th Annual State Conference was held in May 2025 in Kolkata, focusing on emerging public health priorities and collaborations across sectors.
- Technical and community initiatives: Through these State Branch forums, activities include continuing medical education (CME) sessions, symposia, workshops, policy dialogues, public health awareness campaigns, and collaborative response to health challenges in the state (e.g., communicable disease control, non-communicable disease prevention).
- Active role in health discourse: The branch often contributes to public discussions and advocacy on key health and social issues affecting state public health, including engagement with government, civil society, and professional bodies.
Membership & Leadership
The West Bengal State Branch has a significant membership of public health professionals, including medical doctors, public health specialists, epidemiologists, and allied health experts.
Current Office Bearers:
President: Dr. Surajit Ghosh
Honorary Secretary: Dr. Mausumi Basu
Role & Importance in Public Health
Professional networking
Platform for networking, research presentation, best-practice exchange, and policy contribution.
Capacity building
Conferences, trainings, and workshops strengthen the public health workforce.
Community engagement
Collaboration with academic institutions, NGOs, and state health bodies to link public health theory with community needs.