‘Covid warfare to be won thru innovation, collaboration’
Against the backdrop of the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, countries should work together to fight its dreaded outbreak, according to Ambassador Alain Gaschen of the Swiss Confederation.
In his remarks during the recent “Health for Juan and Juana Forum” webinar that put the spotlight on innovation and collaboration as the way forward in the country’s strategy to contain the spread of Covid-19, Gaschen said the best approach by the health sector today would be to develop and foster collaborative efforts.
As he discussed the topic “Swiss Government’s Support to Innovation,” the diplomat revealed that Bern has released $400 million as its contribution to the global fund in fighting the virus. “Switzerland is a major contributor to the fight against the deadly Covid-19. Being a host to major pharmaceutical companies, Switzerland can share its expertise and talent to the world.”
Citing his country’s example, Gaschen underscored the importance of innovation to find solutions in combating what is now mankind ’s biggest challenge since World War II.
“We have no choice but to give importance to innovation and education. In 2018 and 2019, we have allotted 3.4 percent and 3 percent of our gross domestic product [GDP] to research and development, respectively,” Switzerland’s ambassador to the Philippines shared.
Further, Gaschen pointed out that Switzerland’s private sector serves as the foundation of the country’s economy, with companies such as Nestlé, Roche and ABB the backbone. They are the hidden champions; the Swiss government is not the lead actor, he explained.
Likewise, Gaschen said there is also close cooperation between the state and universities in responding to the real needs of the Swiss economy and the global market. “International cooperation is also equally important to [us],” he said.
Speaking of pursuing innovation
projects, the Swiss diplomat declared that: “The Swiss Embassy in the Philippines is open.”
Fostering innovation
IN his talk, “Creating an Environment Conducive to Innovation,” Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) President Dr. Beaver Tamesis warned that the scourge of Covid-19 is not the last pandemic that the Philippines and the rest of the world will face.
“We must step up [in creating] the enabling environment to foster innovation, because it takes a lot of effort, [as well as] costly, complex and risky processes,” Tamesis pointed out.
To achieve an efficient response in the regulatory process, the PHAP president emphasized there must be a strong value for innovation, including a fair and transparent pricing and reimbursement system: “We must establish a business environment conducive to innovation and policy environment that will reward innovation.”
Accelerating innovation
FOR his presentation, “The Place for Innovation in the New Health Normal,” the Asian Development Bank ’s Senior Health Specialist Dr. Eduardo Banzon believes the pandemic has eliminated a lot of bottlenecks toward innovation. He said that basically, it has challenged all thinking, “and the whole business [environment has] accepted it.”
Also, Banzon said companies have been forced to hasten their innovation projects. At this time, he thinks the Philippines has now realized the importance of self-sufficiency. “I hope we will change the way we pay our doctors and health workers,” he opined.