BioVoice News June 2017 Issue 1 Volume 2 | Page 64

news bytes Amitabh Bachchan is the WHO’s Goodwill Ambassador for Hepatitis in SE Asia World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed legendary Indian movie star Mr Amitabh Bachchan as its Goodwill Ambassador for Hepatitis in South- East Asia Region to boost awareness and intensify action to arrest the hepatitis epidemic. Announcing Mr Bachchan’s association with WHO, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director for WHO South- East Asia, said, “this historic association is expected to help strengthen WHO’s efforts in reducing the high numbers of premature deaths and illnesses from viral hepatitis which is not only causing hardships to individuals and families, but also impacting health and development across the Region. 64 BioVoiceNews | June 2017 As WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Hepatitis in the Region, Mr Bachchan will lend his voice and support to public awareness programmes that aim to scale up preventive measures and advocate for early diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis to reduce the disease burden. India set to host prestigious 4th WHO Global Forum on medical devices The national capital of India, New Delhi will be the venue for the next WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices, the most prestigious and biggest global congregation on medical devices. The decision was formally announced on 13th May, 2017 at the closing of 3rd WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices. It reflects the fast-growing acceptance of India as an emerging global hub for medical device manufacturing and development. More than 650 top global medical device representatives and healthcare experts congregated at the 3rd WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices at Geneva to deliberate on ways and means to increase access to priority medical devices under the Universal Health Coverage in compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals and share evidence of best practices in regulation and management of devices. Govt launches Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine under UIP “No child should die in the country from vaccine- preventable diseases” is the Goal & Commitment of our government. We stand committed to reducing child deaths and providing a healthier future to our children.” Mr J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare stated this as he announced