New Delhi, September 26 (Daily Kiran) : India is making significant strides in advocating for a fair system of pathogen access and benefit sharing under the WHO pandemic agreement. During a high-level United Nations meeting on pandemic prevention held in New York, Health Secretary Poonam Salila Srivastava emphasized the need for equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, treatments, and technologies for countries that provide pathogens and biological resources.
Srivastava reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening global health security through international cooperation. She highlighted the importance of transforming lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic into ongoing investments, institutional capacity, and robust health systems.
According to the Health Ministry, Srivastava outlined India’s coordinated approach to pandemic prevention and response at both government and community levels. This approach includes preparedness for various potential health emergencies.
She mentioned the country’s efforts to enhance laboratory networks, emergency coordination, health workforce capabilities, stockpiling, and clinical care capacity, ensuring that systems are ready to effectively manage health emergencies.
Drawing from India’s experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, Srivastava called for recognizing digital public infrastructure as a “global public good.” She stressed the role of digital solutions in monitoring, vaccination, risk communication, supply chains, and the continuity of health services during the pandemic.
India’s commitment to global health is further illustrated by its supply of 300 million vaccine doses to nearly 100 countries and medical assistance to over 150 nations, reflecting the principle of “One Earth, One Health” and India’s dedication to the Global South.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged the progress made in strengthening the global health security framework since the pandemic, including the WHO pandemic agreement and amendments to international health regulations. He underscored the urgent need to conclude discussions on the pathogen access and benefit sharing system, warning that delays could impact the world’s ability to respond to future pandemics.
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