Centre for Public Health Law and Policy

Public health law is an essential field that addresses the legal frameworks and policies governing the health and well-being of populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of public health law in managing health crises, protecting vulnerable populations, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare. In response to the growing need for expertise in this area, the National Law University, Tripura (NLU Tripura) proposes the establishment of a “Centre for Public Health Law and Policy” (CPHLP). The Centre will seek grants from governmental bodies, international organizations, and philanthropic entities dedicated to promoting public health and legal research. Partnering with NGOs, healthcare institutions, and international organizations will be critical for pooling resources, expertise, and support for CPHLP’s activities. This Centre aims to become a leading research and training hub focused on the intersection of law, public health, and policy-making with following vision

VISION

Growing Public Health Challenges: With increasing global health challenges such as pandemics, non-communicable diseases, environmental health issues, and health inequities, there is a pressing need for robust legal and policy frameworks to address these issues effectively.

Legal Preparedness and Response: The need for legal preparedness in public health emergencies has become evident, particularly in the context of managing pandemics, ensuring vaccine distribution, and enforcing health regulations. The Centre will focus on developing legal tools and policies to enhance public health responses.

Interdisciplinary Approach: Public health law intersects with various disciplines including medicine, epidemiology, sociology, and economics. The Centre will foster interdisciplinary collaboration to address public health challenges comprehensively.

Regional Relevance: Tripura, with its unique demographic and geographic challenges, faces specific public health issues, such as access to healthcare in remote areas, malnutrition, and the impact of climate change on health. The Centre will focus on these regional challenges while contributing to national and global discourses.

MANDATE

Research and Advocacy: To conduct cutting-edge research on public health law and policy, focusing on areas such as health equity, healthcare regulation, health rights, and emergency preparedness. The Centre will also engage in advocacy to influence policy and law at the state, national, and international levels.

Education and Training: To provide specialized education and training programs in public health law and policy for law students, legal professionals, public health practitioners, and policymakers.

Policy Development: To develop and propose legal and policy frameworks that address public health challenges, ensuring that these frameworks are equitable, evidence-based, and effective.

Publications and Resources: To publish research papers, policy briefs, and a journal dedicated to public health law and policy. The Centre will also create a digital repository of resources on these subjects.

Collaboration and Partnerships: To establish partnerships with governmental bodies, international organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, and healthcare providers for collaborative research, projects, and events.