India has been pro-active, pre-emptive in Covid fight: Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi, (thestates.news)India’s response to Covid-19 has been “pro-active, pre-emptive and graded, Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan told the Commonwealth Health Ministers on Thursday.
Participating in the 32nd Commonwealth Health Ministers’ meeting through video conference here, he said
India has been the first country to urge consolidated global action to fight the challenge of COVID-19.
Offering condolences at the loss of lives due to Covid-19, he said India took all necessary and timely steps including surveillance at points of entry, evacuation of our nationals abroad, surveillance in community through disease surveillance network, health infrastructure strengthening, training and capacity building of health staff, risk communication and community involvement as part of its management efforts, an official release here said.
Referring to the implementing of the world’s largest lockdown to prevent the spread of this pandemic, he said India was aiming to protect lives by mitigating the explosive growth of the disease and by ensuring that our healthcare system is able to cope up with the growth of the disease.
The Prime Minister had announced an economic package of more than 265 billion US dollars to support economic recovery as well to support vulnerable segments of the population as the country gradually begins easing the restrictions.
“We convened a meeting of SAARC leaders in our region in mid-March in which the need for “coming together, not growing apart; collaboration not confusion; and preparation, not panic”, was underlined. These are the elements that signify India’s response to this crisis,” he said.
The theme of the meeting was “Delivering a co-ordinated Commonwealth COVID-19 response”.
Stating that it is important to work on the causes of the pandemic and discover drugs and vaccine to control transmission and prevent recurrence, the Health Minister said India has provided essential medicines such as Hydroxy Chloroquine to almost 100 needy countries, extending solidarity and support during this time of crisis.
He said Indian scientists are working on discovery of vaccine, drugs as well as development of cost-effective diagnostic kits and various life-saving equipment with the active support of Government of India.
Calling for mutual support and sharing of best practices and exploring of innovative ways to address new threats and challenges in the post Covid-era, Dr Harsh Vardhan underlined the need to build and strengthen core capacities of developing countries particularly the least developed countries for future preparedness, response and resilience.(uni)