On 5 April 2017, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Australia on cooperation between the two countries in the field of health and medicine. In February, an alliance in the same sectors between India and Senegal was approved as well by the Union Cabinet.
Digital health and tobacco control are among the core areas on which the alliance between India and Australia will focus on. The partnership with Senegal will be more focused on AIDS control and emergency relief.
India/AUS: to combat communicable diseases and develop e-health
The cooperation between India and Australia will be an opportunity for both countries to work together on various topics, including:
- communicable diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis;
- non-communicable diseases;
- anti-microbial resistance and responding to public health emergencies;
- mental health ;
- regulation of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and vaccines;
- digital health;
- tobacco control.
The idea is to pool the expertise of researchers from both countries to develop innovative solutions, including through the use of advanced technologies.
India/Senegal: to fight against AIDS and improve medical research
Over the past few months, the Indian government has been expanding partnerships in various areas (IT, high tech, sciences, water, mass media…) internationally, especially with Vietnam, Bangladesh, European Union, France, Russia and Portugal.
In the health and medicine sectors, it also joined forces with Senegal two months ago. On 8 February 2017, the Indian government approved the signing of an agreement between the West African country and India, including cooperation in AIDS control, integrated disease surveillance and emergency relief.
The areas of cooperation also include:
- medical research;
- hospital management;
- drugs, pharmaceuticals products and hospital equipment;
- traditional medicine.
A working group will be established to further elaborate the details of this alliance and oversee the implementation of the agreement.