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Tura, Jan 23, 2026 :
The Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH), Shillong, formally inaugurated its Regional Office in Tura on Thursday, marking a significant step towards strengthening public health research, capacity building, and implementation support across the Garo Hills region.

The inauguration ceremony brought together senior district officials, health leaders, faculty members, and stakeholders, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing evidence-based health planning and service delivery in the region.

The establishment of the Tura Regional Office reflects IIPH Shillong’s expanding role as a leading public health institution in Northeast India. Over the past several years, the institute has worked closely with state and district governments on initiatives related to health systems strengthening, maternal and child health, community engagement, and allied public health priorities. The new office is envisioned as a decentralised hub to enable closer collaboration with district administrations, frontline health workers, and local communities across the Garo Hills.

The inaugural programme commenced with the introduction and felicitation of dignitaries, followed by a welcome address by Prof. Sandra Albert, Director, IIPH Shillong. In her address, Prof. Albert highlighted the unique environmental risk factors and disease burden specificities of the Garo Hills, emphasising the need for customised and locally responsive approaches to health service delivery.

On the occasion of Meghalaya Day, the staff of IIPH added a cultural dimension to the programme through a special performance paying tribute to the motherland titled “Aman A·song.”

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, IIPH Shillong. The speakers highlighted the relevance of these initiatives to the Garo Hills, where geographic, socio-economic, and health system challenges require locally grounded and responsive strategies. It was noted that the Tura Regional Office will facilitate closer engagement with district health teams and support field-based research and monitoring.

The programme also featured remarks from distinguished guests, including Dr. Jakrambal A. Sangma, District Medical and Health Officer, West Garo Hills, and Dr. Sombari Boro, Joint Director of Health Services, Garo Hills Division. Both speakers 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.

The Chief Guest, Smti. Mary Liza K. Marak, MCS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration in improving health and development outcomes. She officially declared the Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong, Garo Hills Regional Office open.

The Tura Regional Office is envisioned as a platform for sustained engagement in the Garo Hills region, supporting research, training, and implementation across key public health priorities. Through this expansion, IIPH Shillong reaffirms its commitment to strengthening health systems, reducing inequities, and promoting evidence-informed policymaking across Meghalaya and the wider Northeast region.