29 April 2023

How to make India pandemic proof

GS-2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of the global health system, and there is a growing need for countries to prepare for future pandemics. India has taken several measures to make the country pandemic-proof.

Strengthening Health Systems

• India launched its flagship program, Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), in October 2021, to prevent, prepare, and respond to pandemics. The program aims to fill the gaps in institutions and systems at both national and state levels. 
  
  
• The government brought several ministries under the Principal Scientific Advisor to address the shortcomings that were observed during the pandemic.

  
  

  

A One Health Approach

• India has adopted a holistic "One Health" approach that addresses the health of people, animals, and ecosystems together. 
  
  
• The National Institute for One Health in Nagpur will identify hotspots for endemic and emerging zoonotic diseases to contain their spread early on.

Surveillance

• India is augmenting surveillance in 20 cities, both large and small, to identify the most vulnerable areas and provide early alerts. 
  
  
• The Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission can facilitate bringing private hospitals and clinics under a common platform and placing data in the public domain. 
  
  
• In villages, partnerships with communities, dairy cooperatives, and the poultry industry will be needed to identify new infections.

Genomic Surveillance

• India has created a formidable network of institutions that can identify new pathogens. 
  
  
• Complemented by wider testing of wastewater and samples from incoming ships and aircraft, these surveillance systems will also be extended to other South Asian countries.

Training and Simulation

Manufacturing and Research

• Indian manufacturers produced vaccines, test kits, therapeutics, masks, and other items at very competitive prices during the pandemic. 
  
  
• The partnerships between research bodies and manufacturers will need to be sustained and enhanced to make India a global hub in the biopharma sector. 
  
  
• India is expanding its network of research laboratories to cover all respiratory viruses of unknown origin. 
  
  
• The clinical trial network set up under the National Biopharma Mission will improve access to affordable new vaccines and drugs in India and around the world.

World Bank Support

• The World Bank has recently augmented its support to India's health sector to $3.5 billion. 
  
  
• The bank is working with PM-ABHIM to build institutions and systems for preventing and responding to future pandemics. 
  
  
• The provision of primary health care will also be improved by supporting the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres under the National Health Mission at the Centre and in seven states.

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