A ‘Health and Life Sciences Partnership’ signed between UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting and India’s Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda last week is aimed at strengthening collaboration in the health technology and innovation sectors between both nations.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) covers joint research, information sharing and cooperation through multilateral fora in areas such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and will cover aspects of the reform agenda for the National Health Service (NHS).
Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami said: “The Health and Life Sciences agreement recognises that both countries have strengths in the sector and that this is a critical part of the offerings that any modern nation offers to its citizens – quality healthcare.
“The focus is on things like antimicrobial resistance, which really is a critical issue for both countries... India is among the world's big producers of generic antibiotics and access to affordable antibiotics is critical.”
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Matters of mutual interest, with early focus on but not limited to, covered by the MoU have been listed as:
health systems: digital health interventions, including telemedicine, public health and disease surveillance
cyber security, including information on the challenges and capabilities to boost resilience
mutually enhancing medical supply resilience to effectively prevent, mitigate and respond to future supply disruptions collaboratively
human resources for health issues, with particular focus on education and training and exchange in the field of medical training, family medicine and nursing
regulatory issues, including regulation and quality assurance of medicines and medical devices and sharing of quality standards
primary healthcare, linking to the themes above to further specific cooperation on primary health care as the keystone of a healthcare system
strengthening of public health infrastructure and capacity, including through exchange between public health schools
health security, including co-operation and research on infectious disease, emerging infections and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response including integrated surveillance systems across human, animal, plant and related One Health sectors
antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including joint research, information sharing and co-operation through multilateral fora including the UN General Assembly 2024 High Level Meeting on AMR
building on the comparative strengths of India and the United Kingdom to work together to improve healthcare services and capacity in other developing countries
medical value travel
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The Indian Ministry of Health stated: “The renewal of this five-year partnership focuses on strengthening cooperation in key areas, including digital health, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), pharmaceutical collaboration, and human resources for health.
“The MoU underscores the shared commitment of both nations to achieving Universal Health Coverage and fostering innovative health solutions for a healthier future.”
