Lok Sabha Question No. 1254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: International Cooperation in Healthcare System
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1254 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2024

## INTERNATIONALCOOPERATION IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

## 1254. PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

## Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state

- a. the details of the outcome of International Cooperation through G-20 in the Healthcare system of the country;
- b. whether G-20 has mentioned any systemic approach towards a resilient healthcare system along with creating a platform for improving access to medical counter measure such as vaccines and diagnosis;
- c. if so, the details thereof;
- d. whether there is any understanding on the negotiations for a legally binding convention of agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response; and
- e. if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (e): The key outcomes of the Health Working Group constituted under the G20 Presidency of India are noted below:

-  The Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH): Under India's G20 presidency, one of the key priorities was 'Digital Health Innovation and Solutions to aid Universal Health Coverage and improve Healthcare Service Delivery'. Under this, the 'Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) -a WHO Managed Network' was launched as part of the Health Minister Meeting in Gujarat as a key outcome.
-  Support the WHO-led inclusive consultative process for the development of an interim Medical Countermeasures Coordination Mechanism : The mechanism is looking forward to the conclusion of the WHO INB process and the Consultative process on IHR that will eventually design the said global mechanism.

India's G20 HWG successfully deliberated for the establishment of an interim medical countermeasures mechanism for adaptable, affordable, agile, sustainable, inclusive, effective, efficient, accountable, and equitable access to medical countermeasures, such as vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics especially in Low-and Middle-income countries (LMICs), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island and Developing States (SIDS).

G20 countries agreed to a WHO-led consultative process for the development of an interim medical countermeasures coordination mechanism, adopting a network of networks approach, and should adapt in line with ongoing discussions of WHO- Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) and Working Group of International Health Regulation (IHR) process and may be adapted in alignment with the WHO CA+ (Convention Agreement and other international instrument on Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response).

In the light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO's 194 Member States established a process through an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a new convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. This was driven by the need to ensure communities, governments, and all sectors of society-within countries and globally -are better prepared and protected, in order to prevent and respond to future pandemics. This convention is generally referred to as 'accord'.

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