India & Japan to Enhance Health Cooperation at World Health Assembly

The primary focus areas involved extending cooperation into new fields such as digital health, AI in healthcare, elderly care, and addressing non-communicable diseases.

In a significant move to boost bilateral health cooperation, officials announced that India and Japan have agreed to advance their collaborative efforts during a meeting on the sidelines of the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.

Building on the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2018, the two nations are committed to expanding their partnership into new domains such as digital health, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, elderly care, and tackling non-communicable diseases.

This initiative aims to leverage technological advancements to improve health outcomes and address challenges posed by an aging population and lifestyle-related diseases.

Officials emphasized the importance of the upcoming Joint Working Group meeting, which will facilitate detailed planning and implementation of these collaborative projects.

This meeting is expected to define the specific areas and strategies for cooperation, ensuring that both countries can effectively address their shared health challenges.

Training Indian Nursing Professionals

In addition to technological and healthcare advancements, India and Japan will strengthen their ongoing program focused on training Indian nursing professionals in the Japanese language.

This program prepares Indian nurses for employment opportunities in Japan, addressing the country's healthcare workforce needs while providing valuable career prospects for Indian professionals.

The renewed focus on health cooperation between India and Japan marks a significant step towards enhancing bilateral relations and improving global health standards. It reflects the commitment of both nations to innovative and collaborative solutions in healthcare.

About WHA

The 77th session of the WHA gathers representatives from 194 countries, aiming to shape the global health ecosystem.

This year's theme, "All for Health, Health for All," underscores the collective effort required to achieve universal health goals. The Indian delegation, led by union health secretary Apurva Chandra, plays a pivotal role in the assembly.

India chairs Committee A, facilitating discussions on key topics such as universal health coverage, public health emergency preparedness and response, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and sustainable financing for WHO.

The WHA will feature sessions in three main committees: Plenary, Committee A, and Committee B.

The Plenary session, attended by health ministers and heads of delegation from 194 nations, will open the assembly. Committee B will focus on internal and external audit, budget, and financing matters, as well as the WHO secretariat.

At least 14 side events and multiple strategic roundtables will take place on the sidelines of the WHA. These events will cover a wide range of health topics, allowing participants to share insights and strategies for advancing the global health agenda.

India is spearheading the Regional One Voice initiative for the Southeast Asia region.

This initiative advocates for well-being and health promotion, addressing social determinants of health, maternal, infant, and young child nutrition, and promoting economics and health for all.