Shillong, Jan 22: The Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) Shillong formally inaugurated its regional office in Tura today.
The regional office is envisioned as a platform for sustained engagement with the Garo Hills region, supporting research, training, and implementation across key public health priorities.
Senior district officials, health leaders, and faculty members who attended the inauguration underscored a shared commitment to advancing evidence-based health planning and service delivery in the region.
Over the past several years, IIPH has worked closely with state and district governments on initiatives related to health systems strengthening, maternal and child health, community engagement and others. The new office is intended to serve as a decentralised hub that enables closer collaboration with district administrations, frontline workers, and communities across the Garo Hills.
West Garo Hills Additional Deputy Commissioner Mary Liza K Marak, who was the chief guest on the occasion, highlighted the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration in improving health and development outcomes.
IIPH Shillong Director, Prof. Sandra Albert in her address highlighted the unique environmental risk factors and disease burden specificities in the Garo Hills, necessitating customised approaches to health service delivery.
An overview of IIPH’s regional work and ongoing initiatives was presented by Dr. Tiameren Jamir, Registrar, Dr. Rajiv Sarkar, Associate Professor, and Dr. Benedicta Kumar, Lecturer.
Particular emphasis was placed on the relevance of these initiatives to the Garo Hills, where geographic, socio-economic, and health system challenges require locally grounded and responsive approaches.
The speakers noted that the Tura regional office will facilitate closer engagement with district health teams and support field-based research and monitoring.
Dr. Jakrambal A. Sangma, District Medical and Health Officer, West Garo Hills and Dr. Sombari Boro, Joint Director of Health Services, Garo Hills Division emphasised the importance of institutional partnerships in addressing persistent public health challenges and welcomed the establishment of an IIPH presence in Tura as a timely and valuable development for the region.
