Pandemic policy must be a defining part of our health policy: Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Union Minister of State for External Affairs address inaugural session of 1st G20 Health Working Group Meeting

The 1^st Health Working Group meeting under G20 India Presidency is currently underway in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Participants including members, guest countries and invited international organisations are participating in the meeting.

The first day of the meeting saw multiple brainstorming sessions. The inaugural session focussed on three key priorities of India’s Health Track in an elaborate manner. Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare; S V Muraleedharan, Union Minister of State for External Affairs delivered the keynote addresses as the inaugural session commenced.

Dr Pawar stated that “India pandemic policy must be a defining part of our health policy as any health crisis today leads to an economic crisis due to the multisectoral nature of our inter-connected world”.

Highlighting India’s strong culture of medical practices and innovation, Muraleedharan noted that PM Modi’s clarion call for “One Earth, One Family, One Future” is pro-planet approach, one that is in harmony with nature for an increasingly globalised world. They inaugurated an exhibition showcasing India’s innovations, success stories and strides in digital health landscape.

This was followed by opening remarks by the Troika Countries (Indonesia, India and Brazil). Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary highlighted the need for pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and convergence, pro-planet approach, continued focus on AMR & One Health, developing blueprint for Vaccine Therapeutics and Diagnostics (VTDs), harmonising a global network for countries, building consensus on digital health and mobilising fund for the same.

During the first session on “Health Emergencies Prevention, Preparedness and Response”, the key speakers were Dr Anders Nordstrom, Ambassador of Global Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden. Prof Vinod K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, and Dr Sylvie Briand, Director of the Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases Department, WHO. Dr Paul elaborated on CoWIN platform and other digital health interventions developed in India in past few years. He showcased how India turned CoWIN platform into a digital public good for the benefit of the world. Whereas, Dr. Sylvie Briand underlined the need of world being prepared for the future health emergencies through the blueprint of 5Cs.

Discussions during session 2 on “Strengthening Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector with Focus on Access and Availability to Safe, Effective, Quality and Affordable Medical Countermeasures” centered around fundamental building blocks of VTDs by Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist, WHO. She elaborated on the need for effective research and development along with strengthening clinical trials. Dr Swaminathan highlighted the gaps in R&D and manufacturing of Vaccines, Therapeutics and Diagnostics (VTDs) in LMICs (Lower and Middle Income Countries). She also discussed eight principles of Equitable Allocation Framework with focus on solidarity, accountability, and transparency. She flagged the importance of technology transfer and diversified manufacturing, establishing R&D networks and collaborations.