India Calls for Stronger Global Preparedness Against Future Pandemics

India has called for stronger international cooperation and sustained investment in health systems to improve preparedness for future pandemics and other major health emergencies. The issue was raised by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava during a high-level United Nations meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response held in New York on 25 September.

Addressing representatives at the meeting, Srivastava said the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic should be translated into long-term improvements in healthcare infrastructure and emergency response capabilities. She highlighted the need to strengthen laboratory networks, emergency coordination systems, healthcare workforce capacity, medical stockpiles and clinical-care facilities.

She also stressed that pandemic preparedness must become part of national health planning and domestic financing. International assistance, she said, should complement rather than replace countries' own efforts to build resilient health systems.

India also highlighted the role of digital public infrastructure in responding to health emergencies. Digital systems were used extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic for disease surveillance, vaccination programmes, public communication, supply-chain management and continuation of healthcare services. India called for such digital capabilities to be recognised as a global public good.

The Health Secretary further emphasised the need for fair access to essential medical products and technologies. She noted that India supplied approximately 300 million vaccine doses to around 100 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided medical assistance to more than 150 countries.

Discussions at the meeting also covered implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, including the need for a fair system governing access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits.

The meeting concluded with renewed calls for countries to work together to develop resilient, equitable and sustainable systems capable of responding rapidly to future outbreaks and pandemics.

26-09-2026