New Delhi, Sep 18 - Indian healthcare provider E HealthPoint has been named laureate of the Tech Awards 2011, a signature programme of the US-based Tech Museum, for applying technology to benefit humanity and spark global change.

E HealthPoints (EHPs), units owned and operated by Healthpoint Services India (HSI), provide rural families with clean drinking water, medicines, diagnostic tools and tele-medical services that bring doctors and evidence-based healthcare to their community.

Tech Museum-a hands-on science and technology institution designed to engage people in experiences that educate, inform, provoke thought -- selected E HealthPoint from more than a thousand nominations representing 54 countries.

"This award for E HealthPoint's pioneering and futuristic social business model, catering to low-income communities, is very gratifying social entrepreneurs like us," E HealthPoint co-founder and president Amit Jain said.

According to David Whitman, vice president of Signature Programs at the Tech Museum, though global challenges today have become increasingly strident, there is still hope.

"These incredibly impressive laureates have all proven to be equal to, or better than, the challenge to make the world a better place," he said. "By celebrating their accomplishments today, we are encouraging future innovators to work towards solutions to make the world healthier, safer and more sustainable."

This year, the laureates represented the global vision of the programme, spanning countries such as India, Honduras and Ethiopia. (IANS)