Yazdi Italia

Yazdi Maneksha Italia
Born
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)Doctor, Public Health Scientist
Known forTribal healthcare, Sickle cell anemia control program
Awards
  • Padma Shri (2024)
  • Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration (2011)
  • Chief Minister’s Award, Government of Gujarat (2023)
  • NDTV Health Leader of the Year (2023)

Yazdi Maneksha Italia is an Indian doctor and public health scientist known for his contributions to tribal healthcare and sickle cell anemia control in Gujarat. He served as the Director of the sickle cell anemia control program of the Government of Gujarat, and was associated with several research projects under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).[1]

Career

Dr. Italia played a key role in initiating and implementing the state's sickle cell anemia control program, which was launched in 2006 during the tenure of then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The program focused on early diagnosis and preventive healthcare among tribal populations.[2]

He served as a co-investigator in several ICMR projects and was instrumental in developing strategies for managing genetic blood disorders in tribal communities.[3]

Recognition

In 2011, he received the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.[1]

In 2023, the Government of Gujarat honored him with the Chief Minister's Award, and in 2024, he was conferred the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for his work in medicine.[4][5]

In 2023, Dr. Italia was also honored as "Health Leader of the Year" at the NDTV Indian of the Year Awards.[6][7]

Awards

  • Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration (2011)[1]
  • Chief Minister's Award, Government of Gujarat (2023)[3]
  • Padma Shri in Medicine (2024)[1]
  • NDTV Health Leader of the Year (2023)[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Padma Awards 2024 – Citation for Dr. Yazdi Maneksha Italia" (PDF). Padma Awards. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  2. ^ Thomas, Melvyn (26 January 2024). "Gujarat's Tribal Healthcare Hero: Dr Yazdi Italia's Lifesaving Work Earns Padma Shri Award". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Dr. Yazdi Maneksha Italia Awarded Padma Shri in 2024". Parsi Khabar. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Recognition of my work has been given: Padma Shri awardee Dr. Yazdi Maneksha Italia". ANI News. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Dr Tejas Patel receives Padma Bhushan, 5 others get Padma Shri". The Times of India. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Women Of India Are NDTV's 'Indian Of The Year': Full Winners' List Here". NDTV. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Dr Yazdi Italia awarded Health Leader of the Year". NDTV. Retrieved 24 June 2025.