US provides $3.6 mn to support coronavirus response in India

NEWDELHI: The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide $3.6 million to assist the Indian government’s response to Covid-19 epidemic.

This initial tranche of funding from the CDC aims to strengthen and support the Indian government’s efforts to increase laboratory capacity for Sars-CoV-2 testing, including molecular diagnostics and serology, read a statement issued by the US embassy on Tuesday.

The funding will also be used to support the development of infection prevention and control (IPC) centres of excellence that can improve the ability of hospital networks to detect Covid-19 and strengthen local health systems.

The CDC will work with local partners to assist in the development of a strong public health workforce to support India’s capacity to respond to the current pandemic and future threats.

“The scope of support will include planning for health emergency operations centres to further strengthen public health emergency management capacities. In addition, the CDC India program will provide technical assistance for the government of India’s ongoing crisis emergency efforts,” the statement said.

Since January, the CDC’s India office has collaborated with sub-national and national government bodies to support the Covid-19 response. The CDC has a long-standing technical collaboration with India’s health ministry to control HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, eradicate polio, and prepare responses to influenza and other pandemic diseases.