India Asks for Fair Access to Vaccines and Pathogen Benefits at UN Meet

Key Demands

India has asked for a fair Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system under the WHO Pandemic Agreement at a UN meeting in New York. Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava stated that nations sharing biological resources and pathogens must get timely access to vaccines, tests, treatments, and technologies built from them.

Health Systems

Srivastava noted that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic need to turn into long-term investments and stronger health systems. She explained that pandemic readiness must be part of national health plans and local funding, while international help should support domestic efforts. She also shared that India expanded its laboratory networks, emergency coordination, health workers, and medical stockpiles.

Global Support

During the COVID-19 pandemic, India gave 300 million vaccine doses to nearly 100 countries and two UN groups, and sent medical aid to over 150 nations. Srivastava also asked the world to treat digital public infrastructure as a global public good, pointing out how digital tools helped with tracking, vaccines, and supply chains during the crisis. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also warned that delays in finishing the PABS system could hurt future pandemic responses.