The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and the Villoo Poonawalla Foundation (VPF) have partnered to establish the Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla Centre for Infectious Diseases and Pandemic Preparedness. This collaboration aims to strengthen India’s ability to respond to infectious diseases and potential pandemics. The Serum Institute of India (SII), one of the world’s leading vaccine makers, will also be involved in this initiative.
The idea for the centre was discussed during a meeting between Minister for Industries and Information Technology K T Rama Rao and Adar Poonawalla, CEO of SII, at the World Economic Forum in May 2022. After a productive virtual meeting between KTR and Adar Poonawalla in February 2023, the decision to establish the centre was officially announced. The centre will provide world-class infrastructure and research facilities, serving as a hub for training and capacity building in infectious disease management. It will also share knowledge with healthcare professionals and policymakers across the country.
To formalize this partnership, the VPF, acting as an implementing agency of SII, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PHFI. The agreement was signed by representatives from both organizations in the presence of dignitaries from VPF, SII, and the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH).
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing public health in India and strengthening the country’s response to infectious diseases and potential pandemics. Prof. Sanjay Zodpey, President of PHFI, expressed gratitude for the partnership and emphasized the goal of strengthening India’s public health infrastructure to tackle future challenges posed by infectious diseases.
