Latest news with #PandemicFund
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
With Ayushman Bharat & National Digital Health Mission, India is better prepared for next pandemic says World Bank official
New Delhi: India has made significant efforts to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure after the COVID-19 pandemic, said Priya Basu , Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund at the World Bank . Speaking exclusively with ANI, Basu highlighted the steps taken by India to be better prepared for future health emergencies. Basu pointed out that schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the National Digital Health Mission are key parts of India's strategy to improve healthcare access and infrastructure. When asked if India is better prepared to handle another pandemic, Basu said, "I would say that efforts have been made in India to improve access to healthcare, healthcare infrastructure. There's the Ayushman Bharat and There's the National Digital Health Mission." She added that preparing a country for the next pandemic is not an easy task but important lessons have been learned from COVID-19. "Lessons that involve having that surge capacity to be able to quickly ramp up testing, having the necessary equipment, PPE capacity in hospitals, in terms of ICU units, ICU beds," she explained. Basu said that while the world is still not fully prepared for the next outbreak, efforts are being made. She also spoke about the Pandemic Fund, a global initiative launched in 2022, which helps low and middle-income countries build their pandemic preparedness . "The pandemic fund is one shining example of really intentionally working with low and middle income countries to strengthen their capacity," Basu said. Talking about investments, she said, "The costs involved or the investments required to get all low and middle income countries to the right level of preparedness are a small fraction of the losses that the world will incur if we are not prepared." She highlighted a joint study by the World Bank and WHO that estimated USD 150 billion of investment over five years could prepare all countries compared to the trillions lost during COVID-19. Basu also explained how India is benefiting from the Pandemic Fund. "We have a project in India which is a grant that is blended with loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, as well as technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation," she said. She detailed that a USD 25 million grant from the Pandemic Fund is supporting India's One Health mission by strengthening animal surveillance, animal laboratories, veterinary workforce, and farm biosecurity. India has been an active supporter of the Pandemic Fund from the start. "India is a founding contributor to the pandemic fund. It is one of the countries that came forward right in the beginning," Basu said. She also mentioned that India recently doubled its contribution to the fund and sits on its governing board as a voting member.
India Gazette
28-04-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
With Ayushman Bharat & National Digital Health Mission, India is better prepared for next pandemic says World Bank official
By Nikhil Dedha New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI): India has made significant efforts to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure after the COVID-19 pandemic, said Priya Basu, Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund at the World Bank. Speaking exclusively with ANI, Basu highlighted the steps taken by India to be better prepared for future health emergencies. Basu pointed out that schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the National Digital Health Mission are key parts of India's strategy to improve healthcare access and infrastructure. When asked if India is better prepared to handle another pandemic, Basu said, 'I would say that efforts have been made in India to improve access to healthcare, healthcare infrastructure. There's the Ayushman Bharat and There's the National Digital Health Mission.' She added that preparing a country for the next pandemic is not an easy task but important lessons have been learned from COVID-19. 'Lessons that involve having that surge capacity to be able to quickly ramp up testing, having the necessary equipment, PPE capacity in hospitals, in terms of ICU units, ICU beds,' she explained. Basu said that while the world is still not fully prepared for the next outbreak, efforts are being made. She also spoke about the Pandemic Fund, a global initiative launched in 2022, which helps low and middle-income countries build their pandemic preparedness. 'The pandemic fund is one shining example of really intentionally working with low and middle income countries to strengthen their capacity,' Basu said. Talking about investments, she said, 'The costs involved or the investments required to get all low and middle income countries to the right level of preparedness are a small fraction of the losses that the world will incur if we are not prepared.' She highlighted a joint study by the World Bank and WHO that estimated USD 150 billion of investment over five years could prepare all countries compared to the trillions lost during COVID-19. Basu also explained how India is benefiting from the Pandemic Fund. 'We have a project in India which is a grant that is blended with loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, as well as technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation,' she said. She detailed that a USD 25 million grant from the Pandemic Fund is supporting India's One Health mission by strengthening animal surveillance, animal laboratories, veterinary workforce, and farm biosecurity. India has been an active supporter of the Pandemic Fund from the start. 'India is a founding contributor to the pandemic fund. It is one of the countries that came forward right in the beginning,' Basu said. She also mentioned that India recently doubled its contribution to the fund and sits on its governing board as a voting member. (ANI)
Mint
28-04-2025
- Health
- Mint
With Ayushman Bharat & National Digital Health Mission, India is better prepared for next pandemic says World Bank official
New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI): India has made significant efforts to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure after the COVID-19 pandemic, said Priya Basu, Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund at the World Bank. Speaking exclusively with ANI, Basu highlighted the steps taken by India to be better prepared for future health emergencies. Basu pointed out that schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the National Digital Health Mission are key parts of India's strategy to improve healthcare access and infrastructure. When asked if India is better prepared to handle another pandemic, Basu said, "I would say that efforts have been made in India to improve access to healthcare, healthcare infrastructure. There's the Ayushman Bharat and There's the National Digital Health Mission." She added that preparing a country for the next pandemic is not an easy task but important lessons have been learned from COVID-19. "Lessons that involve having that surge capacity to be able to quickly ramp up testing, having the necessary equipment, PPE capacity in hospitals, in terms of ICU units, ICU beds," she explained. Basu said that while the world is still not fully prepared for the next outbreak, efforts are being made. She also spoke about the Pandemic Fund, a global initiative launched in 2022, which helps low and middle-income countries build their pandemic preparedness. "The pandemic fund is one shining example of really intentionally working with low and middle income countries to strengthen their capacity," Basu said. Talking about investments, she said, "The costs involved or the investments required to get all low and middle income countries to the right level of preparedness are a small fraction of the losses that the world will incur if we are not prepared." She highlighted a joint study by the World Bank and WHO that estimated USD 150 billion of investment over five years could prepare all countries compared to the trillions lost during COVID-19. Basu also explained how India is benefiting from the Pandemic Fund. "We have a project in India which is a grant that is blended with loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, as well as technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation," she said. She detailed that a USD 25 million grant from the Pandemic Fund is supporting India's One Health mission by strengthening animal surveillance, animal laboratories, veterinary workforce, and farm biosecurity. India has been an active supporter of the Pandemic Fund from the start. "India is a founding contributor to the pandemic fund. It is one of the countries that came forward right in the beginning," Basu said. She also mentioned that India recently doubled its contribution to the fund and sits on its governing board as a voting member. (ANI) First Published: 28 Apr 2025, 09:55 AM IST
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Southern African countries launch climate-resilient health initiative with World Health Organization (WHO) support
Eight Southern African countries have embarked on a landmark effort to bolster emergency preparedness and response systems in the face of increasing climate-related health threats. With financial support from the Pandemic Fund, and technical assistance from World Health Organization (WHO) in the African Region and other partners, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe are advancing their capacity to protect public health, and respond to emergencies. The US$ 35-million, three-year programme is aimed at supporting these countries as they strengthen national and regional systems for early warning, disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics and workforce development – key pillars of health emergency readiness. While implementation activities are yet to begin on the ground, coordinated planning efforts are well under way, including the establishment of governance structures at country and regional levels. Through a dedicated technical coordination capacity at the WHO Emergency Hub in Nairobi, Kenya, WHO is putting in place systems to ensure agile implementation and project monitoring, evaluation, research and learning over the three-year project duration. To date, all eight countries have convened multi- disciplinary National Steering Committees and have undertaken a detailed microplanning activity with key stakeholders. Furthermore, initial funds have been disbursed to countries, marking a critical early milestone in a regionally coordinated, country-driven initiative to build climate-resilient health systems. A formal launch event is planned for next month. 'This investment represents a vital turning point for Southern Africa, a region on the frontlines of the climate and health crisis. Countries now have a unique opportunity to develop systems that are robust, responsive and resilient to emerging threats,' said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa. Southern Africa is warming at nearly twice the global average. Droughts, floods and cyclones are becoming more frequent and severe, fuelling the spread of vector- and waterborne diseases such as malaria and cholera, and placing added strain on health systems. Five of the countries involved in the initiative – Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe – rank among the world's 50 most vulnerable nations to infectious diseases. Many also face high climate risk, compounded by structural challenges such as weak infrastructure, limited resources and high levels of cross-border migration, underlining the urgent need for coordinated preparedness across the region. The new programme, developed under the leadership of national governments, is focused on addressing critical gaps in three priority areas: Early warning and disease surveillance: Strengthening real-time, cross-border detection and information-sharing systems across the One Health spectrum, including human, animal and environmental health. Laboratory systems: Enhancing national and regional laboratory networks, including upgrading diagnostic capacity and regional testing hubs. Public health and community workforce: Supporting the development of a skilled, coordinated workforce aligned with countries' Human Resources for Health strategies. The proposal was developed as part of the Common Africa Approach under the Joint Emergency Action Plan, with WHO in the African Region, Africa Centres for Disease Control and WHO's Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Proposal development was supported by the Gates Foundation. It builds on existing primary health care and community health efforts, and is aligned with global standards, including the International Health Regulations (2005) and the One Health approach. One of its most ambitious long-term goals is the creation of a Climate-Health Observatory, a platform to support early warning systems and evidence-based decision making by tracking climate-sensitive health risks across borders. The observatory will facilitate data-driven policymaking and foster long-term resilience in the region. In addition, the programme will help strengthen leadership and governance by establishing a regional network of connected leadership across Ministries of Health and National Public Health Agencies, further enabling swifter and smarter coordination during responses to emerging threats. 'These efforts are essential in a region with frequent population movement, fragile health systems, and limited emergency response capacity,' said Dr Abdou Salam Gueye, WHO's Africa Regional Emergency Director. 'Our role is to support countries with the expertise, tools and evidence they need to lead these efforts effectively.' Funding is provided by the Pandemic Fund, which supports pandemic prevention, preparedness and response capacity in low- and middle-income countries. The programme also contributes to building sustainable, resilient health systems that can withstand future pandemics and climate shocks. By working together, and with strong technical support from WHO and partners, countries in Southern Africa are laying the foundation for a scalable model for climate-resilient health security – grounded in national ownership, regional solidarity and a shared commitment to protecting health and saving lives. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition.
Zawya
27-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
A landmark step: Lesotho charts its course for pandemic preparedness with inaugural National Steering Committee meeting for the Pandemic Fund Multicountry Project
In a significant stride towards bolstering its pandemic preparedness and response capabilities, Lesotho convened its inaugural National Steering Committee (NSC) meeting for the Pandemic Fund Southern Africa Multicountry Project. This crucial gathering, held in Maseru, marked a pivotal moment in the nation's efforts to safeguard its population against future health crises. Lesotho, a recipient country in the second round of the Pandemic Fund's regional proposal alongside Botswana, Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, will benefit from resources aimed at strengthening One Health Disease Surveillance and Response. This initiative, focused on combating disease outbreaks, will enhance Lesotho's infrastructure for pandemic/epidemic preparedness and response. The NSC, a vital component for the implementation of the fund, will serve as the guiding force to ensure the effective utilization of these funds for maximum impact. The meeting was presided over by the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Moliehi Maneo Ntene, and co-chaired by the WHO Representative, Dr. Innocent Nuwagira. The session drew a diverse and influential assembly, including head of mission from the World Health Organization (WHO) and representation from the World Bank and UNICEF. Principal Secretaries from key ministries, including Health, Agriculture, Finance, Environment, Trade, Education, Gender and Social Development, and Disaster Management Authority, were also in attendance as members of the NSC. This broad representation underscores the cross-sectoral nature of pandemic preparedness, recognizing that effective responses require a unified, multi-faceted approach. In her opening remarks, Mrs. Ntene acknowledged Lesotho's vulnerabilities and the need to strengthen its health systems. 'Recognizing our vulnerabilities in emergency prevention, preparedness, and response, we seized the opportunity to apply for funding through the Pandemic Fund. The successful multi-country initiative allows us to strategically address our gaps. With this newly formed, multi-sectoral steering committee, we are confident in our ability to strengthen our health systems and build a more resilient Lesotho, ensuring the health security of our people,' said Mrs. Moliehi Maneo Ntene, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health WHO Representative Dr. Innocent Nuwagira echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of strong national leadership and coordinated action. 'The establishment of this National Steering Committee signifies Lesotho's proactive commitment to safeguarding its population. As WHO, we are committed to working alongside the government and partners, ensuring the Pandemic Fund's resources are strategically deployed to build a resilient and robust health system capable of effectively responding to pandemic threats,' reflected Dr. Innocent Nuwagira, WHO Representative in Lesotho. A key focus of the meeting was to establish and define the functions of the NSC. Participants meticulously reviewed and endorsed the Terms of Reference (TORs), laying a solid foundation for the committee's operational framework. This crucial step ensures clarity and accountability in the NSC's role, facilitating efficient decision-making and implementation. Additionally, the meeting provided an opportunity to review and endorse the projects microplan presented by the Pandemic Fund task team. The plan outlined strategic interventions in critical areas such as early warning and disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and workforce capacity through a One Health approach. These focus areas are essential for strengthening Lesotho's ability to prevent, detect and respond to future pandemics. The Pandemic Fund aims to empower countries like Lesotho to build resilient health systems by investing in infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and fostering inter-agency collaboration. The One Health approach recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health - will enable a more holistic and proactive response to emerging threats. As Lesotho embarks on this critical phase of implementing the Pandemic Fund's initiative, the inaugural NSC meeting demonstrates the nation's dedication to strengthening its health security, through collaborative efforts and strategic planning, for a safer and more resilient future for Basotho. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Lesotho.
