Firdaus Samad
CRTP Fellow, under the CARET project at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
Testimonial
“My passion for public health crystallized during my BDS years, ultimately leading me to pursue my MPH at IIPH Shillong in 2023. The institute’s substantial contributions to addressing public health challenges in Northeast India provided the ideal foundation for my exploration of regional health disparities. I worked on a project in the West Garo Hills district to assist five public health facilities in order to prepare them for their National Quality Assurance Standard certification. That experience built my confidence in providing healthcare to the rural communities, a type of work I was apprehensive about, and deepened my interest in community based public health work.
The Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health module by Dr. Sandra Albert ma’am, Director, IIPH, Shillong, and additional lectures by Dr. Saldanha, an eminent gynaecologist and Consultant, Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Programme sparked my interest and understanding of gender and sexuality. Particularly, I developed a nuanced understanding of the inequity in healthcare faced by the LGBTQI+ communities which shaped my research trajectory.
Now in 2025, as a CRTP Fellow, under the CARET project at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, my research involves the identification and implementation of programs and opportunities to address the inequities faced by the LGBTQI+ communities.
What truly distinguishes IIPH Shillong is its unique fusion of andragogy, hands-on practical experience, and cutting-edge technological integration that ignited my intellectual curiosity. Beyond the curriculum, the personalized mentorship I received from faculty throughout my MPH journey was unparalleled. Such exceptional individualized support is rare, and I remain profoundly grateful for it.” |