JHU Researchers Present at EPHP 2024 Conference in Bengaluru
Johns Hopkins University researchers recently participated in the 2024 Bringing Evidence to Public Health Policy (EPHP) Conference, held from September 5th to 7th at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB). This national conference, which attracted over 200 delegates including researchers, policymakers, and public health practitioners, provided a platform for critical exchanges aimed at strengthening public health systems in India and beyond. The 4th edition of the EPHP conference, co-organized by IIM Bangalore, The George Institute for Global Health, and the Institute of Public Health Bengaluru, focused on the theme “Health governance, policy, and institutional frameworks for just and sustainable health systems.”
The three JHU participants—Akriti Mehta, Shalini Singh, and Aman Mohan Mishra—contributed to discussions centered around health workforce reforms, community governance in primary health care, and leadership training for health professionals. Their presentations highlighted the relevance of evidence-based approaches in informing public health policies in India.
Exploring Global Primary Health Care Workforce Reforms
Akriti Mehta presented findings from their narrative literature review titled “Implementing Large-Scale Primary Health Care Workforce Reforms: A Narrative Literature Review of Middle-Income Country Experiences.” This research explored the health workforce reform experiences of five middle-income countries—Turkey, Iran, Brazil, China, and Thailand—focusing on strategies aimed at achieving universal health coverage (UHC).
The study highlighted that reforms in workforce management are a critical part of a broader PHC reform package that also includes changes in financing, service delivery, and infrastructure. Countries employed a combination of strategies to address workforce challenges such as supply, distribution, quality, and motivation, as well as introducing performance-based payment systems. These findings provide valuable lessons for policymakers looking to design context-sensitive and adaptive health workforce reforms.
Leveraging Local Governance for Health Care through the Arogya Sangama Project
Shalini Singh’s presentation on the Arogya Sangama project shed light on the role of local governance in primary health care (PHC) in India. The project, conducted in collaboration with the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust and the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, focused on strengthening Gram Panchayat Task Forces (GPTFs) formed during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance community engagement in health care services.
Through formative research in Raichur and Chamarajanagar districts, the study highlighted the complex dynamics between community members, health providers, and Gram Panchayat representatives. It identified challenges such as caste dynamics, power tensions, and differing perceptions of responsibility. The research emphasized the need for transforming GPTFs into participatory structures with clearly defined roles, joint orientations, and trust-building measures to foster effective collaboration in PHC.
Leadership Training for Health Professionals in Uttar Pradesh
Aman Mohan Mishra presented a poster on the leadership and management training for mid-level medical officers in Uttar Pradesh, a state with unique public health challenges. This training program, designed by JHU’s Bloomberg School of Public Health in partnership with the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, focused on equipping medical officers with the skills required for their transition into administrative roles.
The training emphasized leadership, team building, fiscal management, and public health problem-solving, and was highly valued by participants. Evaluation data showed a significant increase in leadership competency scores post-training. The success of this program in Uttar Pradesh sets a precedent for its implementation in other states and countries looking to strengthen health systems through targeted capacity building.
