India's Digital Disease Surveillance System a Valuable Model for Other Nations: MoS Patel

The Minister noted that India had led digital health initiatives, leveraging technology to improve health access and outcomes and create sustainable and data-driven systems.

Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel has said India's digital disease surveillance system is a vital model for nations aiming to enhance their public health frameworks. 

Speaking at a recent event, Minister Patel highlighted the rise of emerging and re-emerging health threats. 

According to the Minister, there is the critical necessity for strengthened preparedness, enhanced surveillance, and well-coordinated international response mechanisms to safeguard global health security.

Highlighting India's commitment to global pandemic readiness, Patel revealed, "India has contributed USD 10 million towards the establishment of Pandemic Fund which was specially conceptualised for fighting pandemics."

"India has further pledged an additional USD 12 million to support its sustained functioning," she added.

Moreover, the Minister noted that India had led digital health initiatives, leveraging technology to improve health access and outcomes and create sustainable and data-driven systems.

"These efforts are central to building a health system capable of addressing both current as well as future health and climate challenges," she noted.

Sharing more, the Minister spotlighted the comprehensive health emergency coordination framework that has been set up by the government, focusing on preparedness, response, and resilience.

Key initiatives include the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program and the National One Health Programme to prevent and control zoonotic diseases.

Patel also showcased India's digital advancements in healthcare through initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the CoWIN platform, eSanjeevani, and the Ni-Kshay portal for tuberculosis management. 

"Our robust digital disease surveillance system offers a valuable model for other countries seeking to strengthen their public health infrastructure," she emphasized.

Furthermore, Patel said India, as a lighthouse country in digital health technologies, has been at the forefront of deliberations across various international forums.

"India is keen to share our Digital Public Infrastructures with the global community, especially with our friends in the Global South to enable modern healthcare approaches," she stated, adding that the country is ready to provide training and capacity-building in health sectors.

She concluded her address by highlighting the necessity of unity in global health initiatives to ensure "a safer and healthier future for all."

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