4. Colonial Era (1900-1960):

The colonial period introduced Western public health practices, but these were largely limited to areas where the British colonial administration had interests. During this time, some key public health measures were implemented by the colonial government to protect public health in the regions under its control, but these efforts were often geared toward maintaining control and protecting the workforce rather than the well-being of local communities.

  • Sanitation: The British introduced sanitation measures to reduce the spread of diseases such as cholera, smallpox, and plague in urban areas. These measures, however, were mainly aimed at protecting the colonial population and the labor force rather than improving the health of the local population.
  • Vaccination Programs: Smallpox vaccination was introduced as part of colonial public health measures. These early vaccination programs contributed to a reduction in the spread of smallpox, although they were not as widespread as modern immunization efforts.

Despite these measures, the colonial government’s approach to public health was fragmented, and healthcare services were primarily focused on the needs of the colonial administration, leaving the local population with limited access to healthcare.