India’s contributions towards building fairer, healthier world ‘unparalleled’: ambassador

KUWAIT CITY, April 10: On April 7 the Indian Embassy in Kuwait celebrated the World Health Day keeping in line with Kuwait’s health protocol.

Addressing a select audience the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E Sibi George said, “This year, this day comes at a very difficult time for all of us. COVID-19 pandemic continues to take heavy toll on human lives and livelihoods. People, societies and economies around the world are facing enormous challenges. For many, it is a question of survival. What began as a public health emergency has now clearly metamorphosed into a wider socioeconomic disruption.”

The ambassador went on to say, “On this day, we are more grateful than ever to all the healthcare workers fighting the pandemic. Their selfless services and sacrifices have saved many a lives. They are the real super heroes of the day; they make us all proud and inspire one and all.

“Medical scientists have worked round-the-clock and are racing against time to develop the much needed vaccines against the deadly infection. This is a story worth telling and listening to; a story of human courage, fortitude and resilience against all nature’s odds. We bring before you all one such story from the Pharmacy of the World: India,” he added.

Prominent dignitaries who attended the celebration were Shri Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Europe & COVID-19), Ministry of External Affairs (virtually), Dr. Ahmed Thuweini, President of the Kuwait Medical Association (KMA), Dr. Raches Ella, Project Lead for all SARS-CoV-2 vaccines & Head of Business Development & Advocacy (virtually) and Dr. Amir Ahmed, President of the Indian Doctors Forum (IDF). This is in addition to dignitaries from the Kuwait’s Ministry of Health and media.

Year 2021, the Indian envoy said, is a year of important milestones for India and Kuwait for many reasons including the 60 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the launch of two-year long celebrations of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. This is a great confluence of mutual milestones and celebrations. “We wish to celebrate both occasions in a befitting manner; we may not be able to celebrate it with a lot of festivities owing to the ongoing pandemic, but we certainly intend to celebrate in as grand a manner as possible within the parameters of the Covid-19 health and safety guidelines and protocols set by the Ministry of Health.”

The ambassador thanked Dr Al Enizi for participating and addressing the audience at the symposium which was held under the title ‘Combating Covid 19: India–Kuwait Partnership’ last month and said the Indian embassy values his contributions, support and close cooperation in strengthening our partnership in healthcare, which is a key element in our multifaceted bilateral relationship. “I thank him for accepting my invitation once again.”

Partner

“I also thank Indian Doctors’ Forum, its President Dr. Amir Ahmed. IDF has been an important partner for the embassy especially in our efforts in ensuring the welfare of the Indian community in Kuwait. I thank IDF for its humanitarian efforts and its many endeavors in supporting the Indian community in its efforts to fight the pandemic,” the ambassador said.

Today’s event is part of this continuous endeavor of the embassy to contribute to this collective fight against Covid-19. He said it is a “honor for us to listen to Dammu Ravi who shared his experiences and best practices. As the nodal officer in the Ministry of External Affairs on Covid 19 related issues he has been in the thick of the action at the ministry and leading India’s efforts to support the global fight against COVID-19.”

The central theme of today’s event is ‘Made-in-India COVAXIN’. The presentation on COVAXIN was given by an expert speaker from Bharat BioTech, the manufacturer of COVAXIN, one of India’s leading biotechnology companies.

Network

Home to more than 3,000 pharma companies with a strong network of over 10,000 manufacturing facilities, India is the only country with largest number of US-FDA compliant Pharma plants (more than 262 including APIs) outside of the USA. The Indian pharma sector supplies over 60% of global demand for various vaccines. India is currently the largest producer of generic medicine in the world, supplying over 50% of generic demand in the US and 25% of all medicine in the UK and is rightfully earned the name ‘Pharmacy of the World.’

He reminded the audience what the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in January earlier this year that the UN counts on India because it has one of the most advanced pharmaceutical industries and played a very important role in the production of generics for use that was outside... a very important element of democratization of access to medicines all over the world. The UN hopes that India will have all the instruments that are necessary to play a major role in making sure that a global vaccination campaign becomes possible and that the production capacity of India is one of the best assets the world has today.

The Indian envoy concluded by saying, “In this crucial hour of crisis for the humanity, India has delivered on its promise and has stood true to its civilizational ethos of universal brotherhood, Vasudaiva Kudumbakam.

“India has led this global fight against Covid-19; India’s supply of medicines, medical supplies, testing kits, human resources and now vaccines have formed the core of the global recovery efforts against Covid-19. Our contributions towards building a fairer, healthier world -- the theme for World Health Day 2021, are unparalleled.”

The event was moderated by First Secretary (Press, Information & Investment) & HOC.