UCLan medic is the only student out of 4 'Health Heroes' chosen to attend special Parliament health event organised by UNICEF

A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) medicine student was handpicked to speak to MPs in the Houses of Parliament about health issues affecting the country, as part of a special event organsied by UNICEF.

Sai Ram Pillarisetti, 23 was the only student chosen among the four UK ‘Health Heroes’ who were invited to interact with the ministers and other dignitaries about a variety of issues, including vaccine equity and the importance of UK foreign aid.

Sai spoke about how much the UK's local health is linked to global health, as Covid-19 has shown, and he highlighted his contributions to global health efforts through the development of a breast health app called ABC’s of Breast Health, which is available in 12 languages and aims to empower women all over India with accurate information about breast cancer and dispel common myths.

The final year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) student said: “It was an honour and a privilege to attend Parliament and highlight the importance of health for everyone, wherever they are in the world. The UK has done a lot to help others, but there is still so much we can do.”

Sai, who is undertaking placements at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, added: “The past two years have shown that how the UK's wellbeing is closely linked with the wellbeing of others. As we begin to turn a corner in the pandemic, we must make sure that the rest of the world comes with us, otherwise we risk slipping backwards if new variants emerge in places without proper protection from the virus.”

Joined by a general practitioner, a hospital consultant and a nurse, Sai was the youngest person who was selected for the event, which was organised by UNICEF, global anti-poverty organisation The One Campaign, Save the Children.

One of the MPs in attendance, Anthony Mangnall, MP for Totnes & South Devon, said: "It is fantastic that Sai was invited to Parliament to celebrate the amazing work the Health Heroes do. It is a mark of pride for the UK and I'm proud to stand alongside them in the fight for a healthier world.

“Only 12% of individuals in low-income countries like Tanzania have had at least one vaccine dose, in comparison with 90% of those in high-income counties."

Romilly Greenhill, UK Director of ONE, added: "As we're beginning to learn to live with Covid, we must remember that the lessons will only stick if we ensure that everyone, wherever they are in the world, is protected from the virus.

"That means all countries, including the UK, supporting developing countries with what they need. For an effective response to this pandemic, and prevent future ones, requires finance, capacity for manufacturing, and access to doses now."