BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI : The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed a declaration of intent with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and  the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAD) of the National Institutes of Health, USA   to take forward an ongoing collaborative research and training programme.

The declaration of intent was exchanged in the presence of US Ambassador to India Kenneth I Juster and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates, said an ICMR press statement.

The partnership will establish a research fellowship programme for young scientists in India and the US to expand research that will advance discovery to improve clinical practice and benefit public health in both countries.

The initial focus of this fellowship programme is intended to engage scientists in infectious disease and immunology research, with an emphasis on diseases that affect women and children, the release said.

The event marked the celebration of the 108th Foundation Day of ICMR. Mr Gates presented the ICMR Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in Healthcare to Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla, Chairman and Managing Director, Serum Institute of India; Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon India; and Dr Prakash Baba Amte, Director, Lok Biradari Prakalp.

ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said on the occasion, "This collaboration will give us a boost in finding cures that will make lives healthy and productive, not only in India but across the world."

Mr Bill Gates said, "The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is committed to working collaboratively with the top Indian medical research body to provide support in development of solutions to some of the major health challenges facing India and the world.”