COVID-19 Teaches the World: No One is Safe Until Everyone is Safe
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught the global community a valuable lesson: no one is truly safe until everyone is safe. This sentiment was emphasized by Union minister Dr Bharati Pawar during her address at the G20 Deputies’ Meeting, held as part of India’s G20 Presidency.
Dr Pawar, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare in India, stressed the importance of the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) in the context of the ongoing pandemic. She highlighted that the crisis has revealed the interconnectedness of people and their well-being on a global scale.
India’s G20 Presidency has focused on key priorities in the field of global health. The first priority is addressing Health Emergencies Prevention Preparedness and Response (HEPPR), which has been a core theme in every G20 Health Working Group since its inception. Dr Pawar underscored the significance of the critical threats posed by One Health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and climate change.
A second priority highlighted by India’s G20 Presidency is ensuring equitable access to affordable medical countermeasures. The minister emphasized the need for a global coordination platform to facilitate the establishment of research and development, as well as manufacturing networks worldwide. This would enable accessibility to quality and affordable vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
The third priority of India’s G20 Presidency centers around the development and use of digital health innovations and solutions. Dr Pawar mentioned the Global Initiative for Digital Health (GIDH), which aims to consolidate existing digital health efforts and improve accessibility through a convergent approach.
Addressing inequality in access to healthcare is a core focus of India’s efforts during its G20 Presidency. The aim is to make global healthcare services more accessible and affordable, particularly for vulnerable populations and those in low- and middle-income countries.
Sudhansh Pant, the Union Health Secretary, highlighted the urgent need for a converged and agile global health architecture. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to ad hoc global mechanisms, resulting in duplication of efforts and fragmentation. India’s G20 Presidency has consistently emphasized the importance of convergence in the Health Emergencies Prevention Preparedness and Response space.
Members of the Troika from Indonesia and Brazil commended India’s prioritization of key health challenges and recommended collaboration on adopting a multi-sectoral approach and investing in better health systems.
As the G20 meeting progresses, the focus remains on creating a comprehensive declaration that encompasses the discussions and efforts of the working groups and bilateral meetings. The goal is to lay the foundation for a more effective and equitable global health system.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that health concerns transcend borders and impact every individual. It is only through collective efforts and a shared commitment to global health that we can ensure the safety and well-being of all. The philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ serves as a reminder that we are one global family, and everyone’s safety is interconnected. As India’s G20 Presidency comes to a close, the world looks ahead to a future where everyone can truly be safe, healthy, and prosperous.
