INDIA – The Serum Institute of India (SII) has announced plans to establish a world-class facility christened Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla Center of Excellence in Infectious Diseases and Pandemic Preparedness in Telangana, Hyderabad.
The infrastructure project follows the launch of SSI’s indigenously-developed quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) to combat HPV-linked cervical cancer in the country.
The state-of-the-art public health facility will be strategically located at the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH-H) located in Hyderabad; it is an institution for higher learning established by the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) in 2008.
IIPH Hyderabad envisions capacity-building efforts to make a positive impact on communities, government, and institutions to make informed –decisions to address the growing demands for public health interventions.
There are about 80 academic researchers and about 150 researcher associates and field researchers at IIPH Hyderabad including its satellite campus in Bangalore and the 4 other IIPHs across India.
The new center, which will be located at the IIPH Hyderabad, will be staffed by experienced healthcare professionals and equipped with state-of-the-art technology and resources.
SSI’s center will offer public health education and community outreach services, as well as provide preliminary information that can help in monitoring and tracking infectious diseases during outbreaks.
It will provide real-time information and updates on current epidemics, as well as offer resources and support for those who have been affected by the current pandemics and future threats.
Moreover, the construction of Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla Center of Excellence in Infectious Diseases and Pandemic Preparedness aligns with India’s multi-sectoral policies and programmes for public health objectives.
It not only brings a radical change in the preparedness for major infectious disease outbreaks in India but also further solidifies Telangana’s position as a leader in life sciences. Telangana is dedicated to providing its residents with a high quality of life and a bright future.
Commenting on the proposed project, Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, Cabinet Minister in the Government of Telangana, said: “By centralising our resources and expertise, we can ensure a quick and effective response to any public health emergency.”
He lauded the Serum Institute of India for investing in the establishment of its Dr Cyrus Poonawalla Center of Excellence in Infectious Diseases and Pandemic Preparedness at Hyderabad, adding that the city of Hyderabad that is regarded as the vaccine capital of the world.
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