India Urges Global Solidarity for Equitable Pandemic Preparedness at UN
Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava urges global solidarity and fair access to vaccines at the UN High-Level Meeting in New York.
Representing India at the United Nations High-Level Meeting in New York, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has called for stronger international cooperation to ensure equitable access to medical resources during future health emergencies. Speaking at the summit on ‘Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response,’ she emphasized that the world must translate the hard-learned lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic into lasting institutional capacity and resilient health systems.
Strengthening National and Global Health Systems
Srivastava outlined India’s comprehensive strategy to manage potential health crises, which involves a coordinated approach across both government and society. To bolster national resilience, India is focusing on several key areas, including:
- Laboratory Networks: Expanding testing and diagnostic capabilities.
- Emergency Coordination: Streamlining responses to rapid outbreaks.
- Health Workforce: Strengthening the capacity of medical professionals.
- Stockpiles and Clinical Care: Ensuring adequate supplies and hospital readiness.
She noted that while international assistance is vital, these efforts must be rooted in national health systems, domestic financing, and long-term development plans.
Digital Public Infrastructure as a Global Good
Drawing on India's extensive experience during the COVID-19 crisis, the Health Secretary highlighted the transformative role of digital solutions. She advocated for Digital Public Infrastructure to be recognized as a global public good, noting its critical importance in:
- Surveillance and early detection.
- Vaccination tracking and management.
- Risk communication to the public.
- Maintaining supply chain continuity and health services.
The Principle of 'One Earth, One Health'
India’s commitment to the Global South was underscored by its massive medical outreach during the pandemic. Srivastava reminded the assembly that India supplied 300 million vaccine doses to approximately 100 countries and two UN entities, while providing medical assistance to over 150 nations. This mission aligns with the principle of “One Earth, One Health,” ensuring that no nation is left behind during a crisis.
Demanding Fair Access through PABS
Addressing the WHO Pandemic Agreement adopted in May 2025, Srivastava identified the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system as a vital milestone. She stressed that the credibility of the agreement hinges on fairness: countries that contribute pathogens and biological resources must receive timely access to the resulting vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
She emphasized that these benefits must be shared while respecting national sovereignty and that implementation should account for the specific national circumstances and capacities of each member state.
A Call to Action: Avoiding Complacency
The meeting featured warnings from other global leaders regarding the need for continued vigilance. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the progress made in global health security but warned that delays in finalizing the PABS system could hamper the world's ability to respond to future outbreaks.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed also cautioned against post-pandemic complacency, stressing the importance of community-based systems for early detection and containment. Concluding her address, Srivastava reminded the assembly that preparedness is a shared responsibility and that "Global solidarity must be demonstrated through action."