Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Monday said all countries need to be adequately prepared for the next pandemic and must act with a sense of urgency. He was addressing an event related to the 3rd Health Working Group of G20 India here.
Bhushan also urged all stakeholders to come together and act for the ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ theme of India’s G20 Presidency, as per PTI reports.
“India is committed to minimizing the digital health divide by promoting digital solutions and innovation to aid universal health coverage,” Niti Aayog member (Health) Dr VK Paul said during the event.
According to Dr Paul, India’s digital infrastructure and capabilities are enablers of global economic growth along with human development.
He gave the keynote address for the event titled ‘Digital Health Innovations and Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage and Improve Healthcare Service Delivery’ during the second day of the G20 meeting in the city.
“India as the voice of Global South is committed to minimizing the digital health divide by promoting digital solutions and innovation to aid universal health coverage,” Paul stated.
“Deliberations in the health working groups suggest that digital technologies can play a very crucial role in achieving universal health coverage and combating health emergencies,” the Niti Aayog member added.
Dr Paul said that there is an agreement that to build a platform where digital health tools are stored in a repository and are made accessible to any country or a partner, PTI reported.
Citing an example of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, Paul said that it brings together state governments, central government, laboratories, insurance providers, health tech companies, doctors, NGOs’ program managers, and other stakeholders keeping the citizens at the center of the endeavors.
