Pfizer Inc announced its support for several initiatives launched by the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) to strengthen public health through education, training, research, community empowerment and improved access to health services.

Included in this partnership, Pfizer will provide partial support to PHFI for establishing Centers for Strengthening Health Systems in the underdeveloped districts of Adilabad (Andhra Pradesh) and Ganjam (Orissa), where PHFI will undertake training and operational research to improve the availability and quality of health services and increase access for the currently underserved rural and tribal populations.

Through an unrestricted educational grant, Pfizer will also provide scholarships to 15 students undergoing training in the Diploma programmes offered by PHFI this year.

Jean-Michel Halfon, president of Emerging Markets, Pfizer, said, "We welcome this opportunity to partner with PHFI which is a pioneering institution in the field of public health education in India. Pfizer is committed to forming partnerships with health care organizations aimed at improving the lives of people living all over the world through research, science and innovation. This partnership offers us a great opportunity to better serve the public and preventive health care needs of many people throughout India."

Professor K Srinath Reddy, president PHFI, said, “PHFI is focused on strengthening the public health workforce capacity in India by establishing new institutes of public health, undertaking research, strengthening existing institutions, facilitating establishment of standards in public health education and wider access to health services. We trust that this partnership will help boost our efforts in public health education and enable us to move faster towards our goals by promoting operational research that will strengthen the health system and enable all citizens to access the full range of health services.”

Dr Jack Watters, vice-president External Medical Affairs, Pfizer, said, "We are delighted to partner with PHFI in promoting relevant research to advance public health goals through the work of public health training institutions and departments. Pfizer is poised at the cutting edge of science and biotechnology and has partnered with leading academic institutions globally. As a scientific and medical organization, we look forward to working together with respected partners which help to improve patient healthcare and well-being".

Community based tobacco cessation programs, to be conducted by PHFI and its partner NGOs across the country, will also be an integral part of this partnership. Apart from financial support, Pfizer will also provide medical, scientific and technical expertise from its large pool of scientists and health professionals. Pfizer’s partnership with PHFI continues its global commitment of engaging with leading academic and research institutions to advance research and education to benefit human health.

PHFI is a response to redress the limited institutional capacity in India for strengthening training, research and policy development in the area of Public Health.