Under India’s G20 Presidency the second Health Working Group (HWG) meeting (17-19 April) began in Goa. The 2nd Meeting of the Health Working Group held thematic discussions on three priorities identified under the G20 Health Track. The meeting was attended by Dr. VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Union Health Secretary Shri Rajesh Bhushan along with more than 180 delegates from 19 member states of G20 countries, 10 invited states, and 22 international organizations.
On the first day of the meeting, Dr. Bharti Praveen Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, delivered the keynote address, and Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Ports, Shipping and Waterways, also delivered a special speech at the inaugural session.
Three sessions were held on the first day of the meeting to deliberate on the three priorities identified under the G20 Health Track. The first is Health Emergencies Prevention, Preparedness, and Response with a focus on One Health and AMR (antimicrobial resistance). The second is Strengthening Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector with a focus on access and availability to safe, effective, quality, and affordable medical countermeasures (vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics). The third priority includes Digital Health Innovations and Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage and Improve Healthcare Service Delivery.