WHO-India recently instituted the 'Public Health Champions Awards' to recognize and encourage the efforts of individuals and institutions who have made an outstanding contribution to public health through advocacy, impactful health policies, strategies and programs thus leading to substantial improvement in health outcomes in India.

The Foundation has been recognized for its integrated healthcare initiatives through which it is constantly engaged in improving the quality of life of several thousand communities in India.

The 'Public Health Champion Award 2015' is a new initiative by WHO-India.
Ms Rani Desai, head, Biocon Foundation, received the award from Dr Nata Menabde, WHO representative to India, at a function held in New Delhi.

Dr Kiran Mazumdar, CMD, Biocon, said, "This is indeed a great recognition of the Foundation's tireless work in public health which brings great pride to everyone at Biocon. As an organization, we are always cognizant of the fact that we are in a humanitarian business of making a difference to human health and we continuously strive to deliver affordable access to underserved communities."

The awards were presented at a national consultation held to commemorate the World Health Day 2015.

Expressing her delight at receiving the award, Ms Rani Desai added, "The Foundation has been recognized for its innovative healthcare models of preventive and primary health services through which we are engaged in creating a sustainable health ecosystem. Through our primary health clinics we aim to enable access to affordable healthcare to rural and urban marginalized communities."

Biocon Foundation has accelerated its efforts in the area of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer, while continuing to work in the area of basic health.

It has done path breaking work using low cost mHealth technologies to ensure that healthcare reaches the last mile in remote and underserved communities in a very cost effective manner.

Highlighting the importance of this award, Dr Nata Menabde, WHO representative to India, expressed, "Public health is a challenging field and these awards are our way of saying 'thank you' to the talented individuals and organizations that have dedicated themselves to this field. These awards are an attempt to recognize and honor the best in this field and also to encourage others to emulate them."