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The South African
10-06-2025
- Health
- The South African
Aaron Motsoaledi hails historic Pandemic Agreement at G20 Health Summit
Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has praised the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement during the 4th Health Working Group meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) held in Johannesburg. This significant international treaty, supported by 124 member states, is only the second international health treaty approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) since its establishment in 1948. The agreement's adoption follows three years of intensive negotiation launched due to gaps and inequities identified in the national and global COVID-19 response. It aims to boost global collaboration to ensure a stronger, more equitable response to future pandemics. Delivering the welcome address on Tuesday morning, Aaron Motsoaledi celebrated the momentous achievement and emphasised the importance of collective action in ensuring global health security. 'Your presence here today is a testament to our collective commitment to global health security,' he said. Motsoaledi stated that the agreement results from the diligent efforts of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), which was established to develop a legally binding framework for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. 'The stark lessons of the COVID-19 crisis fuelled our collective resolve to forge a more robust and equitable framework, one that ensures international cooperation and protects all nations from the devastating impact of future pandemics,' the Minister told the attendees. South Africa, playing a pivotal leadership role as a co-chair of the INB, worked alongside partners from France and the Netherlands, while acknowledging contributions from vice-chairs representing Brazil, Thailand, Egypt, and New Zealand. The Minister stated that the four key pillars of the agreement are designed to fundamentally transform the global response to health emergencies. The agreement emphasises the importance of equitable access to pandemic-related health products, the establishment of a global supply chain and logistics network, and the creation of a coordinating financial mechanism to strengthen pandemic response capabilities. In addition, the agreement highlights a holistic 'One Health' approach, which stresses the connections between human, animal, and environmental health, which is now a central focus of global pandemic strategies. The Minister said the agreement incorporates a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, requiring pharmaceutical companies to contribute 20% of production during pandemics in exchange for access to critical pathogen data. This mechanism aims to ensure that all nations benefit from scientific advancements, especially in times of crisis. 'As an active participant and representative member for the African region, I can say with certainty that we see this agreement as a crucial step towards rectifying the deep-seated imbalances in access to life-saving pandemic products that were so painfully exposed during the recent crisis.' Although Aaron Motsoaledi has acknowledged the agreement's adoption as a significant success, there is still much work ahead. 'While we celebrate the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement, our work is far from over. We are now entering a critical new phase.' He urged immediate engagement in further discussions regarding the PABS system, to convene the Intergovernmental Working Group before 15 July 2025. 'Finalising a robust and equitable PABS annex is the ultimate litmus test of our collective commitment. It is the essential next step to transform the Pandemic Agreement from a document of principles into a functional, life-saving tool for justice and our shared global health security.' He has since called for continued collaboration and commitment to safeguarding global health for everyone. This important week-long meeting began this morning and will conclude on Friday, 13 June 2025. The event brings together health leaders, experts, and policymakers from the world's largest economies, invited nations, and international organisations. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
10-06-2025
- Health
- Eyewitness News
Motsoaledi: Agreement serves as a monumental step to countering future pandemics
JOHANNESBURG - Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi said the pandemic agreement serves as a monumental step towards countering any future pandemics in the world. The minister was speaking during his address at the fourth G20 Health Working Group meeting in Johannesburg. The week-long discussions are aimed at strengthening global preparedness for future pandemics and strategies to ensure vaccine equity. Just in May, the 78th World Health Assembly adopted the second international health treaty, formally known as the Pandemic Agreement. Commenting on the move, Motsoaledi said the pandemic agreement serves as a legally binding instrument for preventing future pandemics and improving response mechanisms. He added that the historic agreement is built on several key pillars, one being that all countries have affordable access to pandemic-related health products. "The Pandemic Agreement was adopted with the overwhelming support of 124 member states, a clear global consensus on the need for a new path forward. The resolution adopted by the 78th world health assembly is of paramount importance as it represents the formal, political culmination of the entire INB process.' The minister also mentioned that the agreement signifies a collective commitment from member states.
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
World Health Assembly: PM Modi highlights India's contributions to global health initiatives in Geneva
New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva virtually from New Delhi on Tuesday, highlighting India's contributions to global health initiatives under the unifying theme of 'One World for Health.' PM Modi mentioned India's Ayushman Bharat scheme, the world's largest health insurance program, which covers 580 million people and provides free treatment. He outlined three cores for the future of a healthy world -- inclusion, integrated vision and collaboration. 'The future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, integrated vision and collaboration. Inclusion is at the core of India's health reforms. We run Ayushman Bharat - the world's largest health insurance scheme. It covers 580 million people and provides free treatment. This program was recently extended to cover all Indians above 70 years,' said PM Modi. He emphasised India's network of health and wellness centres, which screen and detect diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. 'We have a network of thousands of health and wellness centres. They screen and detect diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension. Thousands of public pharmacists provide high-quality medicines at far less than the market price,' added PM Modi. PM Modi invited countries to participate in the International Day of Yoga, with the theme 'Yoga for One Earth One Health.' 'In June, the 11th International Day of Yoga is coming up. This year's theme is 'Yoga for One Earth One Health.' Being from the nation that gave yoga to the world, I invite all countries to participate,' said PM Modi. PM Modi congratulated the WHO and member states on the successful negotiations of the INB Treaty, aimed at fighting future pandemics with greater cooperation. 'I congratulate the WHO and all Member States on the successful negotiations of the INB Treaty. It is a shared commitment to fight future pandemics with greater cooperation while building a healthy planet. Let us ensure that no one is left behind,' he said. The INB was established in December 2021, at a special session of the World Health Assembly, bringing together Member States and relevant stakeholders, including international organizations, private sector, and civil society. At the World Health Assembly in June 2024, governments made concrete commitments to complete negotiations on a global pandemic agreement within a year. The upcoming Assembly, starting May 19, 2025, will consider the proposal developed by the INB and decide whether to adopt the instrument under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution. PM Modi also highlighted India's digital health initiatives, including a platform to track vaccination and a telemedicine service enabling over 340 million consultations. 'Technology is an important catalyst to improve health outcomes. We have a digital platform to track the vaccination of pregnant women and children. Millions of people have a unique digital health identity. It helps us integrate benefits, insurance, records, and information. With telemedicine, nobody is too far from a doctor. Our free telemedicine service has enabled over 340 million consultations,' he added. PM Modi offered to share India's learnings and best practices with the Global South, particularly in addressing health challenges. 'The health of the world depends on how well we care for the most vulnerable. The Global South is particularly impacted by health challenges. India's approach offers replicable, scalable and sustainable models. We would be happy to share our learnings and best practices with the world, especially the Global South,' he added. PM Modi also highlighted that India's initiatives have brought down the out-of-pocket expenditure as a percentage of total health expenditure significantly, while government health expenditure has gone up considerably. 'Thousands of public pharmacies across the country provide high-quality medicines at prices significantly lower than market rates, increasing access to essential drugs for all,' he added. He concluded his speech with a verse from the Vedas, calling for universal well-being: Sarwey bhawantu sukhin sarwey santu niramaya. Sarwey bhadrani pasyantu maa kashichit dukhbhag bahavate (May all be happy, may all be free from illness, may all see what is auspicious, may no one suffer). Apart from this, after India was conferred the certificate of elimination of Trachoma as a public health problem at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Union Health Minister JP Nadda lauded this achievement and said it was a proud moment for the nation. In a post on X, JP Nadda said, 'A proud moment for the nation at WHA78 (World Health Assembly) India has been conferred the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO, at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva.' (ANI)
India.com
20-05-2025
- Health
- India.com
Indias Healthcare Model Can Be Replicated Globally: PM Modi At World Health Assembly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva virtually from New Delhi on Tuesday, highlighting India's contributions to global health initiatives under the unifying theme of "One World for Health." PM Modi mentioned India's Ayushman Bharat scheme, the world's largest health insurance program, which covers 580 million people and provides free treatment. He outlined three cores for the future of a healthy world -- inclusion, integrated vision and collaboration. "The future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, integrated vision and collaboration. Inclusion is at the core of India's health reforms. We run Ayushman Bharat - the world's largest health insurance scheme. It covers 580 million people and provides free treatment. This program was recently extended to cover all Indians above 70 years," said PM Modi. He emphasised India's network of health and wellness centres, which screen and detect diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. "We have a network of thousands of health and wellness centres. They screen and detect diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension. Thousands of public pharmacists provide high-quality medicines at far less than the market price," added PM Modi. PM Modi invited countries to participate in the International Day of Yoga, with the theme "Yoga for One Earth One Health." "In June, the 11th International Day of Yoga is coming up. This year's theme is 'Yoga for One Earth One Health.' Being from the nation that gave yoga to the world, I invite all countries to participate," said PM Modi. PM Modi congratulated the WHO and member states on the successful negotiations of the INB Treaty, aimed at fighting future pandemics with greater cooperation. "I congratulate the WHO and all Member States on the successful negotiations of the INB Treaty. It is a shared commitment to fight future pandemics with greater cooperation while building a healthy planet. Let us ensure that no one is left behind," he said. The INB was established in December 2021, at a special session of the World Health Assembly, bringing together Member States and relevant stakeholders, including international organizations, private sector, and civil society. At the World Health Assembly in June 2024, governments made concrete commitments to complete negotiations on a global pandemic agreement within a year. The upcoming Assembly, starting May 19, 2025, will consider the proposal developed by the INB and decide whether to adopt the instrument under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution. PM Modi also highlighted India's digital health initiatives, including a platform to track vaccination and a telemedicine service enabling over 340 million consultations. "Technology is an important catalyst to improve health outcomes. We have a digital platform to track the vaccination of pregnant women and children. Millions of people have a unique digital health identity. It helps us integrate benefits, insurance, records, and information. With telemedicine, nobody is too far from a doctor. Our free telemedicine service has enabled over 340 million consultations," he added. PM Modi offered to share India's learnings and best practices with the Global South, particularly in addressing health challenges. "The health of the world depends on how well we care for the most vulnerable. The Global South is particularly impacted by health challenges. India's approach offers replicable, scalable and sustainable models. We would be happy to share our learnings and best practices with the world, especially the Global South," he added. PM Modi also highlighted that India's initiatives have brought down the out-of-pocket expenditure as a percentage of total health expenditure significantly, while government health expenditure has gone up considerably. "Thousands of public pharmacies across the country provide high-quality medicines at prices significantly lower than market rates, increasing access to essential drugs for all," he added. He concluded his speech with a verse from the Vedas, calling for universal well-being: Sarwey bhawantu sukhin sarwey santu niramaya. Sarwey bhadrani pasyantu maa kashichit dukhbhag bahavate (May all be happy, may all be free from illness, may all see what is auspicious, may no one suffer). Apart from this, after India was conferred the certificate of elimination of Trachoma as a public health problem at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Union Health Minister JP Nadda lauded this achievement and said it was a proud moment for the nation. In a post on X, JP Nadda said, "A proud moment for the nation at WHA78 (World Health Assembly) India has been conferred the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO, at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva."
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Prime Minister Modi projects India model at World Health Assembly in Geneva
The health of the world depends on how well we care for the most vulnerable and India's approach offers replicable, scalable and sustainable models, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, via videoconferencing on Tuesday. He said India runs the world's largest health insurance scheme— Ayushman Bharat — that covers 580 million people and provides free treatment, and added that this programme was recently extended to cover all Indians above the age of 70 years. Emphasising that inclusion is at the core of India's health reforms, Modi said this year's theme of the Assembly— One World For Health— resonates with India's vision for global health. 'When I addressed this gathering in 2023, I had spoken about One Earth, One Health. The future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, integrated vision, and collaboration,' Modi said. 'The health of the world depends on how well we care for the most vulnerable. The Global South is particularly impacted by health challenges. India's approach offers replicable, scalable and sustainable models. We would be happy to share our learnings and best practices with the world, especially the Global South,' he said. 'It is a shared commitment to fight future pandemics with greater cooperation. While building a healthy planet, let us ensure that no one is left behind… Thousands of years ago, our sages prayed that everyone should be healthy, happy and free from disease. May this vision unite the world,' he added. Highlighting the role of technology in improving health outcomes, Modi talked about India's digital initiatives. 'We have a digital platform to track vaccination of pregnant women and children. Millions of people have a unique digital health identity. It is helping us integrate benefits, insurance, records and information. With telemedicine, nobody is too far from a doctor. Our free telemedicine service has enabled over 340 million consultations,' he said. Reflecting on the positive impact of India's health initiatives, he noted a significant decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure as a percentage of Total Health Expenditure. Simultaneously, he emphasised that Government Health Expenditure has increased considerably. 'We have a network of thousands of health and wellness centres that screen and detect diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension,' he said. He also highlighted the role of pharmacies selling high-quality generic medicines that brings down the cost of otherwise expensive treatment significantly. Looking ahead to the 11th International Day of Yoga in June, Modi encouraged global participation. 'This year, the theme is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'. Being from the nation which gave Yoga to the world, I invite all countries to participate,' he said. He also congratulated the World Health Organization (WHO) and all member states on the successful negotiations of the INB (intergovernmental negotiating body) treaty.
