India calls upon the G-20 nations to ensure access to essential medicines
- To ensure access to essential medicines, treatments and vaccines at affordable prices;
- Shri Piyush Goyal, in G-20 Trade Ministers meeting, says staying true to our tradition of “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam” India has unconditionally provided medical supplies to over 120 countries to combat this disease
- India will emerge stronger after the implementation of the special economic package announced by the Prime Minister, says the minister
- World has to come together to build partnerships among like-minded nations with shared values of democracy, rules-based and transparent business models and concern for humanity as a whole
Dr. Harsh Vardhan participates in Common-wealth Health Ministers’ Meeting through VC
- Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare participated in the 32nd Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting through Video Conference. The theme of the meeting was- Delivering a co-ordinated Commonwealth COVID-19 response.
- The statement of the Union Health Minister made as part of the intervention at the global meeting is as follows:
- “At the outset, while ‘Delivering a co-ordinated Commonwealth COVID-19 response’, I wish to express my deepest condolences and concern at the loss of lives due to COVID-19.We acknowledge the tremendous contribution of the numerous frontline health service providers as well as other civic bodies in saving precious lives.
- India undertook COVID-19 management with the highest level of political commitment by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi under whose guidance, our response toCovid-19 has been pro-active, pre-emptive and graded.
- India took all necessary and timely steps including surveillance at points of entry, evacuation of our nationals abroad, surveillance in community through disease surveillance network, health infrastructure strengthening, training and capacity building of health staff, risk communication and community involvement as part of its management efforts.
- In implementing the world’s largest lockdown to prevent the spread of this pandemic, we are aiming to protect lives by mitigating the explosive growth of the disease and by ensuring that our healthcare system is able to cope up with the growth of the disease. At the same time, we are also mindful of saving lives as well as livelihoods and are therefore keeping all essential services out of the purview of the lockdown.
- Our Prime Minister has announced an economic package of more than 265 billion US Dollars to support economic recovery as well to support vulnerable segments of our population. We are gradually easing the restrictions especially in areas where we have managed to contain the disease.
- It is critical to build and strengthen core capacities of developing countries particularly the least developed countries for future preparedness, response and resilience.
- India has been the first country to urge consolidated global action to fight the challenge of COVID-19. We convened a meeting of SAARC leaders in our region in mid-March in which the need for “coming together, not growing apart; collaboration not confusion; and preparation, not panic”, was underlined. These are the elements that signify India’s response to this crisis.
- India has provided essential medicines such as Hydroxychloroquine to almost 100 needy countries, extending solidarity and support during this time of crisis.
- It is important to work on the causes of the pandemic and discover drugs and vaccine to control transmission and prevent recurrence.
- It is important to facilitate universal and affordable access to all relevant medical products and technologies, both existing and new. These should be made available in a fair and equitable manner to tackle COVID-19.
Prime Minister’s interaction with Mr. Bill Gates
- The dignitaries discussed the global response to COVID-19, and the importance of global coordination on scientific innovation and R&D to combat the pandemic
- He sought suggestions from Mr. Gates on how
India’s capacities and capabilities could be better leveraged for the
general benefit of the world.
- Some of the ideas included drawing upon India’s unique model of last-mile health service delivery in rural areas
- Dissemination of the effective contact-tracing mobile app developed by GOI
- By leveraging India’s massive pharmaceutical capacity to scale-up the production of vaccines and therapeutics upon their discovery.
COVID19 current update in India
QUIZ TIME
- Who attended the G-20 Trade Ministers meeting from India’s behalf?
- Amit Shah
- Piyush Goyal
- Nitin Gadkari
- None
Answer: B
