Govt to draw plan to combat pandemics

India is working on a plan to effectively combat public health emergencies and disease outbreaks in future, according to people familiar with the matter, even as WHO on Monday announced it will be identifying pathogens that could cause future outbreaks and pandemics.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched on October 25, 2021, the government aims to fill critical gaps in health infrastructure, surveillance and, health research to be able to better manage Covid-19 like pandemics or health crises in the future.

“Strengthening research in the field is a crucial aspect as zoonotic diseases are going to be big in years to come. Not just enhancing the lab network, efforts under the scheme will also be made to create adequately trained manpower to perform cutting edge research,” said a senior health ministry official, requesting anonymity.