Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, organized the 1st Health and Immunisation Conference on the theme of Innovations aiding Universal Immunisation Programme on 30th June 2015 at New Delhi. This conference addressed the challenges and opportunities related to the immunization initiatives in India.

Symbolizing a synergy of policy between the government and the Industry in the Health Sector, Hon’ble Minister of Health, Shri JP Nadda, said that “the government is targeting to immunize 95% children population in the next 1.5 years. The government today is ready for all types of linkages and partnerships with the Industry, with Innovators. Cold Chain logistics and management can be developed for far flung areas and this is where we need innovations from the private sector. These innovations must be cost effective and affordable.” 

Hon’ble Health Minister visited the Innovation Gallery which showcased innovators from across the world working in the space of strengthening cold chain technologies and logistics, reflecting a critical cog of the wheel for delivering successful immunization programmes. The Exhibitors in the Innovation gallery included, Quascenta, Berlinger, Intertek and Godrej.

Mr CK Mishra, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, pointed out that “solution lies in innovative solutions. In our endeavour towards achieving affordable and quality healthcare, we need to innovate with technologies within the cold chain management system, and target to vaccinate every child.”

Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman, CII National Council on Healthcare & Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta, emphasized that “India needs to innovate to ensure that its future generations can enjoy health benefits at a very small price. Immunisation is one such tool, and there must be no hesitation to integrate the efforts of the government and the Industry to overcome challenges of immunization”.

Earlier, Sir Richard Feachem, Director, Global Health Group & Professor of Global Health, University of California (San Francisco and Berkeley) was the guest of Honour and highlighted that “India is poised to take a lead and become the vaccine producer of the world with over 60% of the demand for vaccines being met by Indian Vaccine Producers. It must now move rapidly to become vaccine innovators of the world.”

30th June 2015
New Delhi