After a long time, unsuccessful battle with cancer, Dr. Maharaj Kishan Bhan, former secretary of DBT, passed away on Sunday 26th January 2020. He was most recognized as the National Science Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Government of India, President of JIPMER and an Advisor to the World Health Organization. As Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India for ten years, he played a key role in the establishment of many new Institutes, clusters and innovation support agencies in order to transform the biotechnology sector in the country.

Biography

Dr.Bhan was currently a National Science Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Government of India, President of JIPMER and an Advisor to the World Health Organization. He was a Former Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology.

He was MBBS, MD Paediatrics, DSc. (Honorary), Fellow, Indian National Science Academy (FNA), Fellow, Academy of Sciences (FASc) and Fellow, Academy of Medical Sciences (FAMS) and Fellow, Third World Academy of Science (TWAS).

His research contribution with health impact on national and developing country programs included development of a Rotavirus vaccine, Zinc as treatment of diarrhoea, low osmolarity ORS, identification of enteroaggregative E. Coli its association with persistent diarrhoea in children and treatment approaches to this disorder. The Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) integrated program developed under his Chairmanship has been introduced in the reproductive child health program of the Government of India. This strategy is playing a key role in reducing child mortality in India.

As Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India for about a decade, established many new Institutes, clusters and innovation support agencies to attempt a transformation of the biotechnology sector in the country.

As Secretary, DBT, Dr M K Bhan established many new Institutes, clusters and innovation support agencies to attempt a transformation of the biotechnology sector in the country.