A pandemic policy must be a defining part of the health policy as any health crisis today leads to an economic crisis due to the multisectoral nature of our inter-connected world, Union Minister of State for Health, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, said on January 18.

In her address to the 1st Health Working Group meeting under India's G-20 Presidency, she noted that pandemic prevention, preparedness and response require diverse multi-sectoral, and multi-agency coordinate efforts, and emphasised on the need for strengthening and empowering communities to become resilient to future health emergencies.

"COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic. The learnings must form the agenda for our preparedness and response together. We need to diversify our capabilities and ensure that collectively, we preserve ourselves in the face of any health crisis," she said.

The Minister of State for External Affairs and NITI Aayog's Member, Health, Dr V.K. Paul, were also present on the occasion.

Highlighting India's strong culture of medical practices and innovation, the Minister of State for External Affairs noted: "Hon'ble Prime Minister's clarion call for One Earth, One Family, One Future is pro-planet approach, one that is in harmony with nature for an increasingly globalised world."

He also emphasised to the delegates the "need to align our agenda for preparedness and response together to be able to effectively meet any health emergencies." "We should be prepared to collectively meet any health challenges in the future," he stated.

The Union Health Secretary highlighted India's aim to achieve convergence in discussions across various multilateral fora engaged in health cooperation, as chair of the G20 Presidency.

He reiterated three priorities for the G20 Health Track, namely, Health Emergencies Prevention, Preparedness and Response (with a focus on One Health & AMR), Strengthening Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector with a focus on Access and Availability to safe, effective, quality, and Affordable Medical Countermeasures (Vaccines, Therapeutics and Diagnostics); and Digital Health Innovations and Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage and Improve Healthcare Service Delivery.

The Indonesian and Brazilian Troika members appreciated and commended the Indian Presidency for setting up the three health priorities. They stated that the pandemic has given an opportunity to strengthen health systems and the need today is to accelerate efforts to ensure universal health coverage.