PM for cooperation among South Asian nations

NEW DELHI:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday proposed several measures to prepare countries in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region to cope with future medical emergencies, including a special visa regime for medical personnel and technology-driven steps to counter pandemics.

Modi made the suggestions in a video message to a virtual workshop organised by India for health officials and experts from 10 countries in the extended neighbourhood, including all eight members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) and Mauritius and Seychelles.

Pakistan’s representatives participated in a meeting organised by India after a long gap, though the country was part of a meeting of Saarc leaders convened by Modi in March last year to forge a coordinated response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Noting that health cooperation within the region over the past year has resulted in significant achievements, Modi said the time had come to “think of raising our ambition further”.

He suggested the 10 countries should consider creating a special visa scheme for doctors and nurses so that medical personnel can travel quickly within the region during health emergencies, while the civil aviation ministries should coordinate on a regional air ambulance agreement for medical contingencies.

Looking beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, Modi further suggested the 10 countries should share their successful public health policies and schemes.