Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry Additional Secretary Lav Agarwal said that Telangana and India will lead the world as pharmaceutical capital through Genome Valley. He said, “Genome Valley produces 33% of the world’s vaccine production. The G20 presidency is a platform to display the Telangana Government’s efforts in driving life sciences.”
The official spoke as the Union Ministry of Health gears up for the 3rd G20 Health Working Group Meeting, which is set to start from June 4 to 6, at Novotel, Hyderabad. The meeting is set to voice the challenges of the Global South in the health sector and focus on research, development and innovation on the sidelines.
Lav Agarwal said that the delegates who are set to attend the high-level meeting from across the world will also be taken to Genome Valley on a co-branded event to showcase India’s prowess in research and development and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“India’s G20 Presidency will focus on three priorities, including health emergencies prevention, preparedness and response with a focus on antimicrobial resistance and One Health framework, strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector with a focus on access and availability of safe, effective, quality, and affordable medical counter measures (vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics), digital health innovations and solutions to aid universal health coverage and improve healthcare service delivery,” he said.
He stated that it should be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive. “Infections know no boundary, and our G20 presidency aligns with this. We have a 50-city collaboration which has wide coverage. We internationally collaborate and share aggregate data and create a technology database through this presidency.”
He highlighted the transformative role of technology in enhancing healthcare accessibility. Through telemedicine, the Co-Win platform, and improved identification and access to blood banks, these integrated initiatives bridge the gap in health coverage. He stressed the importance of seamless integration among global initiatives to effectively manage any future health emergencies.
Speaking about the Health Working Group Meeting, Lav Agarwal stated that 180 members, 10 invited countries, and 22 international organisations will be participating in this upcoming meeting. Dr Manisha Verma, ADG, PIB, Delhi, and Balakrishna, Joint Director, PIB, Hyderabad, also attended the meeting.
