Understanding Pubic Health and Beyond

The most frequent question that comes in the mind of every student wanting to join Bachelor’s in Public Health (BPH) is whether they’ll get job or not, is BPH worth studying, can we earn sufficient money, what actually are the scopes of BPH, in fact what is Public Health?

Q. What actually is Public Health?

Ans: Let’s first get to know the definition of Public Health given by CEA Winslow. Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health and efficiency through organized community efforts . The main definition is so much clear and broad that it includes the scope of BPH and many other things. Public health especially deals with Prevention and Promotion of health rather than the Curative Health Service. It exactly follows the saying “Prevention is better than Cure.” So, without going much into details, for the general understanding, public health deals with disease prevention, life prolongation and health promotion.

Q. What are the scopes of Public Health?

Ans: Like it is mentioned in the previous answer, public health especially deals with disease prevention, life prolongation and health promotion, so we can say that everything that is done to achieve good health comes under the scope of public health. For example, activities done for disease prevention like awareness, advocacy, planning, etc. can also be done by a Public Health graduate. Also, activities falling under life prolongation like reduction of risk factor of disease and moreover programs conducted for health promotion come under Public Health.

Different fields of interest can be Nutrition, Epidemiology, Disease control, Research, etc. A Public Health graduate can work with different NGOs and INGOs working in these and many other sectors.

 Q. What should we study in BPH, what are the course contents?

Ans: You’ll be studying the basics of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Entomology, Biochemistry, etc. Epidemiology is considered as the backbone of Public Health. Other subjects you’ll encounter during your 4 years of course are like Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Public Health and Primary Health Care, Sociology and Anthropology, Mental Health, Population Studies, Public Health Administration, etc.

For further details the syllabus of BPH can be found in following links:

1. Tribhuwan University

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z6SgbxCULNFoyECMADuEKHPmDNVmcK64/view?usp=sharing

2. Purbanchal University

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14UbmVtDYxP4bknlFMnx-883Nm7tKaLdm/view?usp=sharing

3. Pokhara University

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hiFMXbKtsV5dFrM4dGLVXcLd6OKquLCa/view?usp=sharing

Q. What can we do after completing BPH?

Ans: You’ll have few options after completing BPH. Firstly, you can give the examination for Public Health Officer (PHO) taken by Public Service Commission (PSC/Loksewa). If you’re able to clear this examination, you’ll be having government job and be posted as PHO in a district of Nepal. This is 7^th level officer job. Also, there are some seats in Department of Health Services and other such government bodies.

Next thing that can be done is being associated with some Non-governmental Organization or International Non-governmental Organization working inside of outside Nepal that belong to your area of interest like Nutrition, health promotion, etc.

Another thing you can do is pursue your Master’s degree i.e. Master’s in Public Health (MPH, general) or Master’s in specific subjects like Master’s in Public Health and Nutrition or Master’s in Health, Population and Environment or different such degrees in the universities inside or outside Nepal. Not only in Public Health but also Master’s in other subjects like Population Studies, Rural Development, etc. can be studied depending upon your field of interest.

There might be different other possibilities which can be further explored like being a researcher, teacher and others.

Q. How much will I earn after BPH?

Ans: If you’re able to be PHO through Loksewa, you’ll be earning around Rs. 40,000 per month and also there will be other government services similar to other offices.

While working in the NGOs and INGOs, they’ll have their fixed time period for a project for which you’ll be hired and will be paid accordingly.

You’ll be paid according to your skill, knowledge and what and where you’re working.

Q. People say that there is no scope and you’ll be unemployed after completing BPH, is it true?

Ans: The above mentioned scopes of BPH are enough to prove that BPH is worth studying. If you’re talented and determined to do something in the sector of Public Health, there is no reason to be afraid of. As you’ve to struggle to get something, you’ll also have to struggle more to get what you want. People after studying BPH are earning name and fame while some aren’t. So, it’s you who should decide what you want. It you’re determined, there is no one/nothing stopping you.

So, if you’re the one wanting to enter, already entered or one who has completed BPH, it’s your time to shine and do something really worthy in the sector of Public Health, not only for the people of Nepal but for the entire human beings throughout the world.