Dr Jitendra discusses India’s ‘Pandemic Preparedness’ for future, underlines immediate countermeasures

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh on monday discussed India’s “Pandemic Preparedness” for future.

On the occasion, Member NITI Aayog, Dr Vinod Paul presented to the Minister, a Report on the subject prepared by the NITI Aayog and titled “Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response: A Framework for Action”.

The report prepared by an Expert Group constituted by NITI Aayog covers recommendations on future pandemic preparedness with special focus on developing medical countermeasures, specifically, diagnostics,vaccines and therapeutics. It outlines the action pathways to deploy medical countermeasures within the 100 days deadline in case of any future pandemic outbreak. This would require scaling manufacturing capacities, creating forward and backward linkages, enabling regulatory systems and demonstrating capabilities.

The Minister discussed how to mobilize the Research & Development team and Infrastructure along with the Industry to work on potential pathogens and prototype vaccines in a strategic, scientific and proactive way across departments and other stake holders.India’s inter-sectoral One Health Mission has already revamped the pandemic surveillance systems for potential outbreaks.

It was noted that in the course of COVID-19 pandemic, India administered more than 220 crore doses of made-in-India vaccines to its citizens, and shared vaccines with more than 100 countries. Indian vaccines utilized practically all the platforms including mRNA, DNA, Adeno-viral and inactivated virus systems. Drugs made in India were exported across the world. Nearly 250 made-in-India COVID-19 diagnostic tests were approved. All this demonstrates our strong Scientific-Industrial potential.

Much of the success during the COVID time, including the Vaccine success story, said Dr Jitendra Singh, was attributable to the coordinated and collective effort across the departments with a “whole of government” approach in the true sense and, personal intervention and patronage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who launched a dedicated research and trial programme called “Mission Suraksha” and then personally followed it up on day to day basis.

The Minister underlined the nation’s resolve that India’s deep R&D capacities, and the industrial ecosystem will be further strengthened to be ready to respond to any future pandemic.

The Report has been showcased by the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat in its recent “100 Days Mission:Implementation Report 2024”.