India and USA signs MoU for cooperation in health and biomedical sciences

The issues related to areas of concern pertaining to strengthening of epidemiological research and surveillance, vaccine development, one health, zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, health systems and health policies etc. were discussed during the two-day dialogue

Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare addressed the closing session of 4^th Indo-US Health Dialogue being hosted by India.

The two-day dialogue leveraged as a platform to deliberate upon multiple ongoing collaborations in the health sector between the two countries. The issues related to areas of concern pertaining to strengthening of epidemiological research and surveillance, vaccine development, one health, zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, health systems and health policies etc. were discussed during the two-day dialogue.

Two MoUs were also signed at the concluding session. One MoU was signed between the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of the Republic of India and Department of Health and Human Services of the USA concerning cooperation in the field of Health and Biomedical sciences. Another MoU was signed between Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) & National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for cooperation on International Centre for Excellence in Research (ICER).

Marking the end of the two-day dialogue, Mansukh Mandaviya said, “I am delighted to be present, amongst you to attend the concluding session of the Fourth Health Dialogue between India and the U.S. For India, we value our engagement with U.S. on various fronts and, we have travelled a long path in the past continuously nurturing this relationship. U.S. being the oldest modern democratic country & India being the largest, democratic country in the modern world, constructive and positive cooperation amongst both countries can lead to peace, harmony, and growth, not only for both sides but world at large.”

“I am sure, the outcome of this visit shall benefit, our ongoing collaborations in health sector too. India and U.S. are also actively engaged with, other lndo-Pacific countries on COVID response, vaccine development, sharing of best practice, supply chain management and, revival of economies”, he added.

“We all know that both India and U.S. are global partners, and we also need to work collaboratively in reforming the global health architecture, whose fault lines have become amply visible during the current pandemic. Equally important areas where in both India and US can work, relates to managing health emergencies, supporting digital health and innovation, mental health interventions, research coupled with production related to diagnostics, therapeutics and, vaccines considering India offering its low-cost research network and huge production capacities. This has implications on, access and affordability of medicines not only for U.S.- India but, also for the whole world.”

The US delegation for the dialogue was led by Patricia A Lacina, Charge D’Affairs, US Embassy; Loyce Pace, Director, office of Global Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Michelle McConnell, Director, Asia and Pacific, office of Global Affairs at U.S. Dept. (HHS); Dr Preetha Rajaraman, Health Attaché, HHS; Sangita Patel, Director, USAID/HO; Nandita Chopra, NIAID representative, HHS/NIH and Dr Melissa Nyendak, Director, Division of Global HIV and TB, HHS/CDC were present in the meeting.

Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary; Dr Balram Bharagava, Secy (DHR) and DG (ICMR); Alok Saxena, AS &DG, (NACO); Lav Agarwal, JS(PH); Vishal Chauhan, JS (Policy & NCD); Dr M.K. Bhandari, JS (Reg & ME); P Ashok Babu, JS (RCH); Dr V.G. Somani, DCGI, and other senior officials of the ministry represented India at the event.