What is Health and Public Health? Introduction

What is Public Health
Public Health in Nepal
Dr. Nawa Raj Subba
Dr. Nawa Raj Subba 1
Session-2
Introduction and
Background

Outline of the Presentation
• What is Health and Public Health?
• History of Public Health
• Public Health Approaches
• Public Health's Core Function and Services
• Roles of Stakeholders in Public Health

What is Health? - Bon Philosophy
Answers
• Bon philosophy is an ancient Indigenous belief system
• Encompasses Nature, Soul, and Equilibrium
• Health is a state of harmony and equilibrium within the individual,
encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
• Disease is a disruption of this harmony,
• Caused by negative emotions, unhealthy lifestyle choices, or spiritual
disconnection
• Emphasizes the importance of holistic approaches
• Meditation, yoga, and energy healing,
(Reference- Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. (2002). Healing with Form, Energy, and Light: The Five Elements in Tibetan Shamanism, Tantra, and Dzogchen. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion
Publications).

What is Health? - Ayurved Answers
• Ayurvedic Philosophy also views health as the equilibrium
between the natural elements and the Tridoshas of the
human body
• Health is achieved through maintaining a harmonious by the
principles of divine wisdom.
• The human body consists of seven distinct types of tissues
known as "Sapta Dhatus."
(Reference: Lad V. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited; New Delhi, India: 2002. Ayurveda: The Science of Self-healing: A Practical Guide)

What is Health? - History Answers
• Kirat Period - Bon's philosophy (Nature, Souls, equilibrium)
(Traditional Medication)
• Lichhavi Period- Arogyashala, Cutting Umbilical Cord
immediately after birth (Amsu Verma) (Traditional
Medication)
• Malla Period- Ayurvedic Aushadhalaya (Traditional
Medication)
• Rana Period- Smallpox vaccine, Hospitals (Christian
Missionaries) (Modern Medication) 1947 BS Bir Hospital,
Tokha Leprosarium, Communicable Disease Hospital.

• 2008 BS Vector Borne Disease Control Unit
• 2013 BS Ministry of Health Established
• 2015 BS Vertical projects (Malaria, Immunization)
• 2022 BS Tuberculosis Control Project
• 2024 Smallpox Control Pilot Project
• 2025 BS Family Planning and Maternal and Child Health
Project
• 2029 BS Institute of Medicine

• 2048 BS- New Health Policy - Public Health Concept
• Integration of vertical projects and Public Health Office
• Second Long Term Health Plan (1997-2017)
• 2063 BS Interim Constitution - Health Fundamental Right
• National Health Policy, 2019, Goal
"To create and grow a federal health system based on social
justice and good governance that ensures access to and use of
quality health services for everyone".

What is Health? - WHO Answer
• ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
(World Health Organisation [WHO], 1948: 100)
• Holistic definition and Approach
• The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is
one of the fundamental rights of every human being without
distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social
condition’ (WHO, 1948: 100)
• Fundamental Human Rights.

What is Public Health? - CEA Winslow
Answer
“The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and
promoting health through the organized efforts and informed
choices of society, organizations, public and private
communities, and individuals.”
- CEA Winslow
Photo Published in The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine 1987
Science
and Art
Prevent,
promote,
Prolong
Organized
Effort
Informed
Choices
Society,
Organization,
Communities,
Individual
Public,
private
Partnershi
p

What is the Mission of Public Health?
• “Public health aims to provide maximum benefit for the
largest number of people.” —World Health Organization

What is the Approach of Public
Health?
Source- CDC, http://www.cdc.gov/info

Public Health Core Sciences

Approach to Public Health
• In 1848 - London - Cholera Epidemic - 52,000 deaths
• Thought to cause - Poor air from rotting organic materials
• John Snow traced the cholera outbreak's source
• His study convinced the British government
• Sewage-contaminated water caused cholera.
• Known as the pioneer of epidemiology
Source-
CDC, http://www.cdc.gov/info
Cholera's seven pandemics, cbc.ca, 2 December 2008.

• In 2014- Hepatitis A, E Outbreak - Biratnagar
• 2789 cases and 12 deaths recorded
• Surveillance of Biratnagar Hospitals
• Data Collection - every day - Monitoring
• Identification of the Source of contamination
• Awareness campaign - to take boiled water - water treatment
• Management of cases by Public-Private efforts.

• COVID-19 Pandemic - Nepal - 2021
• Surveillance
• Data Collection
• Lab Diagnosis / Screening
• Source Identification and Quarantine
• Prompt treatment/ Containment
• Infection Prevention/ Immunization

What are the Functions of Public
Health

What are the Services of Public Health

Core Functions of Government Levels

Partners in the Public Health System

Health Care as a Partner in Public
Health

Conclusion
• Public Health Believes in Prevention of Diseases, Promotion
of Health and Prolonging of Life.
• Through organized efforts
• informed choices of society, organizations, public and private
communities, and individuals
• Public Health perspective (All in One), Health Care
perspective (One in All)

Thank You.

What is Health and Public Health? Introduction

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