India Strengthens SEARO with Affordable Medical Solutions, Says Union Health Secy

Chandra highlighted the crucial role of digital technologies in India's healthcare sector, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

India, hailed as the pharmaceutical capital of the world, is reinforcing the South-east Asia Regional Office (SEARO) of the World Health Organization (WHO) with affordable medical countermeasures, announced union health secretary Apurva Chandra.

Chandra led a high-level meeting titled "Advancing Health and Well-Being of Billions in WHO South-East Asia Region" in Geneva on Monday.

This side-session of the 77th World Health Assembly was co-hosted by SEARO and the Indian government.

The primary focus was on strategic actions to address key public health issues in the South-east Asia region.

Affordable Medical Solutions for SEARO

The meeting commenced with a video presentation on India's health journey, showcasing the four pillars of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Mission, which aims to provide universal health coverage to all Indian citizens.

Chandra highlighted the pivotal role of digital technologies in India's healthcare system, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He pointed out the evolution from CoWIN to UWIN, a digital platform designed for tracking immunizations and creating digital certificates for every child.

"India, as the pharmaceutical capital of the world, is providing strength to the SEARO region through affordable medical solutions," stated Chandra, underscoring India's significant contributions to the region's healthcare infrastructure.

He also introduced the BHISM cube, a novel product from India's Aarogya Maitri Project.

This compact, modular medical aid cube is equipped with advanced technology to treat up to 200 casualties and can be deployed during disasters and emergencies.

During the meeting, member states and partners discussed various pressing health issues.

The topics included the need for enhanced cooperation in vaccination efforts, management of non-communicable diseases, health system preparedness for emergencies, post-pandemic recovery strategies, climate crisis response, and addressing mental health issues.

Decentralizing Health Issues for Better Preparedness

Participants emphasized the importance of decentralizing health issues to provincial and district levels to improve pandemic preparedness and health security.

By decentralizing health governance, the region aims to enhance its ability to respond to health crises more effectively and ensure that health interventions reach the most vulnerable populations.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to strengthen regional health systems and promote well-being across the South-east Asia region.

India's role as a provider of affordable medical solutions and its innovative use of digital health technologies were recognized as pivotal elements in advancing the region's healthcare capabilities.

In another development, in a move to boost bilateral health cooperation, officials announced that India and Japan 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, using AI in healthcare, elderly care, and tackling non-communicable diseases.