About GIRHFWT

          Dr.(Mrs.) T.S. Soundaram established the Gandhigram Institute of Rural Health and Family Welfare Trust in 1964 as an outcome of her successful experiences in the Pilot Health Project in Athoor block during 1959-64. Adopting the concept of Gandhian constructive programs in its delineation of its activities, the project pioneered Community Health Education as the promising concept to stabilize the Health and Family Welfare conditions of the Nation. These pioneering initiatives prompted the Government of Tamil Nadu, Government of India and Ford Foundation to recognize the project as an Institution in the year 1964.

The objectives of the Institute are formulated and reformulated to address the National Health and Family Welfare programs of the Government



The broad objectives are..:



Conducting research studies in the field of Reproductive and Child Health, Rural Health, and Family Health Activities

Organizing training programs in Reproductive and Child Health, Health and Family Welfare Programs for Personnel from the State and those from other States

Developing newer methodologies for implementing Reproductive and Child Health, and other Health programs

The programs of the Institute are supported and funded by national and international funding organizations including Government of India. The following government sponsored training institutions offer inservice training programs to the various categories of health personnel including top ranking state health administrators

Central Training Institute (CTI)

Health and Family Welfare Training Centre (HFWTC)

Collaborative Training Institute for RCH Program

Regional Health Teachers' Training Institute (RHTTI)

Specialised Communication Training Centre

Middle Level Training Centre

Regional Resource Centre (RRC)

 

In-service Training Programs..:



The Institute organizes the following short-term in-service training programs for government health personnel and NGOs from the southern states

RCH Training Programs to impart Integrated Skill and Specialized Skills

HIV/AIDS Training Programs

Training in National Health Programs

Information, Education and Communication Training

Training in Participatory Learning and Management

Induction and Refresher training for medical/para-medical personnel

 

Professional Training Programs..:


The Institute offers the following one-year Diploma and Certificate Courses

Post Graduate Diploma in Health Promotion & Education: Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University


Diploma in Nursing education and Administration: Recognized by Tamil Nadu Nursing Council

Certificate Course in Medical Laboratory Technology: Recognized by King Institute, Chennai
 

Research..:

The Government of India-supported Population Research Centre is the nodal centre of all the research activities in the Institute. The centre undertakes research in health care services delivery and training, demography, population sciences, evaluation of health programs and other related areas. The focus of research is on modifying strategies for program development, evaluation of on-going programs, and policy formulation. The major areas of research include fertility and mortality, family planning, and nutrition

 

Intervention Research Programs..:

1. Reproductive health project.
2. Mother NGO scheme of the Government of India.
3. National NGO.
4. Health Economics Research Unit.



Service Wing..:

1. Rural Sanitary Mart
2. Peer education training to prevent and control AIDS
3. Services at the doorstep of the villagers through concurrent field 

    training programs
 

Supporting Facilities..:

1. Audio-visual division
2. Publication unit
3. Library
4. Computer facilities

Well maintained seminar halls and a spacious Dr. Soundram Auditorium that can accommodate 200 people.



Boarding and Lodging Facilities..:

The Institute has separate hostel and boarding facilities for the trainees. A sister Institution of Gandhigram - the Kasthurba Hospital, provides back up medical services
 

Location..:

The Institute is located at Ambathurai on the main National Highway No.7, twelve kilometers south of Dindigul town en-route to Madurai. It lies between the Sirumalai Hills on the east and the Kodai Hills on the west. The nearest railway station is Ambathurai. The Institute is housed in ten large buildings constructed with financial assistance from the State and Central Government, and DANIDA