Guv confers D Litt on Poonawalla for contribution to health

Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of Universities in the State, Ch Vidyasagar Rao today conferred the Honorary D Litt (Honoris Causa) on Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, CMD of Serum Institute of India, for his contributions to public health through the manufacturing of low-cost vaccines.
Minister for Higher and Technical and Medical Education Vinod Tawde, Additional Chief Secretary Medha Gadgil and Vice Chancellor of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Arun Jamkar were present at the Convocation ceremony held at Sahyadri State Guest House here, a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said.
Replying to the felicitation, Poonawalla said immunisation is key to prevention of many diseases. He said a large number of children in the world die for want of immunisation.

Lamenting that India has among the lowest rates of immunisation, which is lower than Bangladesh, Nepal and some Sub-Saharan countries, he called for efforts to make sure that no child is deprived of immunisation.