Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The culmination of the G20 Summit 2023, hosted by India, witnessed a momentous occasion as the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration garnered unanimous support.
In the realm of health, a domain deeply scarred by the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic, the declaration places paramount importance on future pandemic preparedness and the enhancement of essential health services and systems.
Universal coverage
The leaders, acknowledging the need for concrete actions through partnerships, have committed to improving access to medical counter-measures and facilitating increased supplies and production capacities in developing countries for more robust preparedness against future health emergencies.
Central to this commitment is the strengthening of the global health architecture, with a spotlight on the role of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The global leaders are steadfast in their dedication to building more resilient, equitable, sustainable, and inclusive health systems, aiming to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
The implementation of the One Health approach, enhancement of pandemic preparedness, and fortification of existing infectious diseases surveillance systems underscore their commitment to a comprehensive health agenda.
According to the New Delhi Declaration, member countries are strategically focusing on elevating primary health care and the health workforce. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to surpass prepandemic health service levels, within the next two-three years.
The declaration also signals a collective resolve to make strides towards eradicating polio and putting an end to ongoing epidemics, encompassing AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, and water-borne and other communicable diseases.
Collaborative approach
The countries have pledged support to the WHO-led inclusive consultative process for developing an interim medical countermeasures coordination mechanism.
This initiative emphasises the effective participation of Low-and Middle-income Countries and other developing nations, leveraging a network of networks approach.
