Representing India at the UN high-level meeting on ‘Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response’ in New York, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to strengthening global health security through international cooperation.
She noted that digital solutions played an important role in surveillance, vaccination, risk communication, supply chains and continuity of health services during the pandemic. Srivastava also underscored the importance of solidarity and fair access to essential health products. She also underlined the importance of member states’ role in reviewing and consolidating pandemic prevention, preparedness and response tools, assessments and data, noting that such processes should be undertaken in consultation with member states given their policy implications.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, India supplied 300 million vaccine doses to around 100 countries and two UN entities, while providing medical assistance to over 150 countries.
She said this reflected India’s commitment to the principle of “One Earth, One Health” and to the Global South. Addressing the meeting at the United Nations Headquarters on Friday, Srivastava outlined India’s coordinated approach to pandemic prevention and response across government and society, which covers a wide range of potential health emergencies.
