The story of the Global Institute of Public Health (GIPH) began with a shared realization — that while India and many developing nations in Asia and Africa were making great strides in healthcare delivery, there remained a critical shortage of trained and qualified public health professionals to guide, manage, and sustain these systems.

In the early 2010s, a group of Indian public health visionaries and medical educators recognized this urgent gap. They envisioned an institution that would combine global standards of education with the practical realities of health systems in developing countries — an institute that would not only produce skilled professionals but also generate research relevant to local needs.

It was from this vision that the Global Institute of Public Health was born. Conceived as a new-age institution with a global outlook and local grounding, GIPH was established to train leaders capable of navigating the complex intersections of policy, practice, and research that define modern public health.

Institutional Foundation and Support

The institute was established under the Ananthapuri Educational Trust, a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting excellence in health and higher education. The Trust, with its proven legacy in medical and technical education, provided the ideal foundation to bring GIPH’s vision to life.

GIPH found its academic and operational home within the Ananthapuri Hospitals and Research Institute (AHRI) campus in Thiruvananthapuram — a 500-bedded tertiary care teaching hospital equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities and training infrastructure. The synergy between AHRI’s clinical excellence and GIPH’s public health focus created a powerful ecosystem for learning, research, and innovation.

Guided by Visionary Leadership

At the heart of GIPH’s foundation lies the leadership and foresight of Padma Shree Prof. Dr. A. Marthanda Pillai, a renowned neurosurgeon and healthcare visionary. His commitment to ethical medical practice, health system strengthening, and education reform provided the guiding philosophy behind the institute’s creation.

Joining him were eminent academics and global public health experts such as Prof. (Dr.) S. S. Lal, an internationally recognized global health professional with extensive experience across continents and Prof. (Dr.) K. R. Nayar, a leading social epidemiologist and scholar in public health policy. Together, this leadership team brought decades of experience, global networks, and academic credibility to GIPH’s foundation.

Their shared goal was to create a world-class training and research hub that could bridge global knowledge with India’s community-based public health traditions — and they have succeeded in turning that vision into reality.

Academic Growth and Early Milestones

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program was launched under affiliation with the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS), marking the institute’s first major academic milestone. Designed to be comprehensive and interdisciplinary, the program emphasizes evidence-based learning, problem-solving, and leadership — producing professionals equipped to handle health challenges in real-world settings.

In just a few years, GIPH earned recognition as a Research Centre under KUHS, allowing it to offer doctoral programs (PhD) and guide advanced research. Its academic reputation was further strengthened by collaborations with global universities and organizations, including WHO, ICMR, UNICEF, National Geographic Society, and others.

Students from India and abroad have since joined the institute, participating in global projects, field research, and community-based interventions that translate classroom learning into public health action.

Research and Global Collaborations

From its inception, GIPH placed strong emphasis on research that addresses the social, environmental, and systemic determinants of health. The institute has undertaken numerous national and international research projects on issues ranging from vaccine hesitancy and mass gatherings to chronic diseases and environmental health.

Recognition and Global Footprint

Today, GIPH stands recognized as one of India’s prominent public health institutions with a growing global footprint. Its faculty have contributed to high-impact international journals such as The Lancet, Nature, BMJ, and Public Health Journal, and continue to collaborate with scholars across the world.

The institute’s lecture series and visiting scholar programs regularly host experts from WHO, University of York, Brunel University, UNC Charlotte, and other leading academic institutions — enriching the learning experience for students and faculty alike.

Looking Ahead

As GIPH moves forward, it remains anchored in its founding ideals — academic excellence, ethical leadership, and societal impact. With its strong research foundation, global collaborations, and commitment to innovation, the institute continues to evolve as a leader in public health education and research in South Asia.

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