India Advocates for Equitable Pathogen Access and Digital Infrastructure at UN Pandemic Meeting
New Delhi: Representing India at a high-level United Nations session on pandemic preparedness in New York, Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has underscored the critical need for a fair and transparent framework governing the sharing of health resources. Addressing the global assembly, Srivastava advocated for the implementation of a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system as a cornerstone of the proposed World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement.
Prioritizing Equity in the Global Health Architecture
The core of India’s proposal rests on the principle of reciprocity. Srivastava asserted that nations contributing biological resources and pathogen data to the international community must be guaranteed equitable and timely access to the resulting medical countermeasures, including life-saving vaccines, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic treatments.
“Our efforts to build global health security must be anchored in the principles of equity and cooperation,” the Health Secretary stated. She emphasized that the lessons learned from the devastating COVID-19 pandemic should be converted into long-term investments and durable institutional frameworks. According to the Health Ministry, Srivastava highlighted that while international assistance is vital, it must serve to complement—not replace—national responsibilities, rooted in domestic financing and localized development plans.
Strengthening National Resiliency
Providing a glimpse into India’s own strategic roadmap, the Health Secretary outlined a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to public health. By integrating various sectors, India is proactively fortifying its infrastructure to handle potential future health emergencies.
Key areas of improvement highlighted by the government include the systematic expansion of national laboratory networks, the enhancement of emergency coordination protocols, the professional development of the health workforce, and the maintenance of strategic stockpiles. These measures are designed to ensure that India’s clinical care capacity remains agile and prepared to mitigate the impact of any emerging health crisis.
Digital Public Infrastructure as a Global Good
Drawing from the success of platforms utilized during the pandemic, India has called for international recognition of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a “global public good.” Srivastava pointed to India’s effective use of digital solutions for large-scale surveillance, vaccination drives, risk communication, and the management of medical supply chains as a model for the world.
The integration of technology, she argued, is essential for maintaining the continuity of health services even during periods of extreme global disruption. This stance reflects India’s broader vision of democratizing technology to enhance health outcomes across the Global South.
A Legacy of Global Cooperation
India’s contributions during the height of the COVID-19 crisis served as a practical demonstration of its commitment to the philosophy of “One Earth, One Health.” During the pandemic, the nation supplied approximately 300 million vaccine doses to nearly 100 countries and various UN agencies. Furthermore, medical aid was extended to over 150 nations, cementing India’s role as a reliable partner in global health diplomacy.
The discourse in New York was bolstered by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who acknowledged the momentum gained through the WHO Pandemic Agreement and recent amendments to International Health Regulations. Dr. Tedros reinforced the urgency of finalizing the PABS system negotiations, warning that any further delay in establishing these protocols could severely hamper the global community’s ability to mount a unified and effective response to future pandemic threats.
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