GENEVA: Health and Family Welfare Minister  Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the 76th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) centered on the theme of 'Health for All', in Geneva today, May 24. The Session is addressed in the presence of Dr Tedros, Director General, World Health Organization and Health Ministers from across the world.

"The unprecedented circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic have further served to strengthen the agenda for a more connected world that is prepared to tackle future health challenges," Mandaviya said, reiterating the G20 India's priorities in the area of health, which are access to medical countermeasures, digital health, and emergency preparedness for the health system. The Health Minister met with the Iranian Minister of Health and Medical Education concurrently with the event.

On the fringes of #WHA76 in Geneva, we had a fruitful discussion with Iran's Minister of Health and Medical Education, Bahram Eynollahi. discussed methods to improve India-Iran cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, digital health, and traditional medicine, according to a tweet from Mandaviya.

The Health Minister made a global medical countermeasures platform with dispersed production and R&D through regional networks and the Global Initiative for Digital Health during his address to the World Health Assembly. His further explanation was this: "The Global Medical Countermeasures Platform aims to ensure equitable access to safe, high-quality, cost-effective medical countermeasures to all the countries."

In order to further emphasise the significance of closing the digital divide worldwide, Mandaviya concluded, "Global Initiative on Digital Health will facilitate in building consensus on the promotion of Digital Public Goods for customization & democratisation of digital tools for the world and particularly for low-and middle-income countries (LMICs)."   "The goal of the Global Initiative on Digital Health is to act as an institutional framework and provide an agile and purpose-fit digital solutions," he said.

The Ni-kshay Platform was also mentioned by Mandaviya as an illustration of innovation and investment in health technologies, reinforcing India's commitment to eradicate tuberculosis using its own mathematical model supported by the end-to-end patient care, provider workflows, and digitization of the cascade of care integrated in the platform.

The G20 India Presidency's theme of "One Earth, One Family, One Future" and the idea of "Antyodaya," which means reaching the last person in the last mile, find resonance with the World Health Organization's priority of "Health for All," said Mandaviya.

The Union Health Minister highlighted the effects of Covid-19 on the globe and noted that while the pandemic has indeed had an impact on our healthcare systems, it is crucial to keep up the momentum and collaborate to make our vision of "Health for All" a reality and ensure a healthier future for the next generation.

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