India, UK renew 5-yr partnership to strengthen health cooperation

India and the United Kingdom renewed their health and life sciences partnership on Thursday, signing a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for further collaboration in areas like digital health and fight against antimicrobial resistance.

The agreement was formalised at a ceremony here in the presence of Union Health Minister JP Nadda, UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting and UK High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron.

The health sector collaboration is a key element of the India-UK’s strategic partnership and has been instrumental in advancing cooperation in the field of healthcare.

“Our close cooperation during Covid-19 pandemic and for the development of Malaria vaccine has been a remarkable example of what we can achieve together. India with its vast and qualified health workforce, especially doctors and nurses, and with its large pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities is willing to partner with the UK to achieve common goals,” said Nadda.

He added that the fresh MoU could become an anchor for further collaboration in areas like digital health, fight against anti-microbial resistance and resilient supply chains.