Monitoring Desk,18-Jan;The first G20 Health Working Group meeting under India’s G20 presidency began today at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurated the 3-day event.
Speaking on the occasion, she said pandemic policy must be a defining part of our health policy as any health crisis today leads to an economic crisis due to the multi-sectoral nature of inter-connected world.
Dr Pawar noted that pandemic prevention, preparedness and response require diverse multi-sectoral, multi-agency coordinate efforts. She emphasized on the need for strengthening and empowering communities to become resilient to future health emergencies.
Dr Pawar said that the learnings must form the agenda for our preparedness and response together as Covid-19 will not be the last pandemic. She also underscored the importance of building resilient health systems and investing in lifesaving vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
In his keynote address, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan highlighted India’s strong culture of medical practices and innovation.
Mr. Muraleedharan also Highlighting India’s strong culture of medical practices and innovation. Mr Muraleedharan noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s s clarion call for “One Earth, One Family, One Future” is pro-planet approach, which is in harmony with nature for an increasingly globalized world.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan highlighted India’s aim to achieve convergence in discussions across various multilateral fora engaged in health cooperation, as chair of the G20 Presidency.
The Indonesian and Brazilian Troika members appreciated and commended the Indian Presidency for setting up the three health priorities. They stated that the pandemic has given an opportunity to strengthen our health systems and the need today is to accelerate our efforts to ensure universal health coverage.
Representatives from G20 member countries, special invitee countries, international organizations, forums and partners like WHO and World Bank were present at the inaugural event.
The three-day meeting will focus on thematic discussions on three main priorities – health emergencies prevention, preparedness and response; strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector; and digital health innovations to aid universal health coverage.
An exhibition to showcase the achievements of India’s health programmes and a side event on Medical Value Travel to showcase the need for promoting holistic, value-based medical travel will also be organized as part of HWG meeting.
