India Pledges to Collaborate with African Nations for Inclusive Healthcare Ecosystem

Addis Ababa: India has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with African nations in their endeavors to realize a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem, Ambassador Shri Anil Kumar Rai said.The Indian Embassy in Addis Ababa hosted an inaugural conference today under the theme: 'One Earth, One Health: Healthcare beyond Boundaries.'This initiative aims to enhance healthcare access, improve medical infrastructure, and promote sustainable health solutions across the African continent.Speaking at the occasion, Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia Shri Anil Kumar Rai emphasized India's dedication to addressing health disparities and enhancing healthcare systems across Africa.He further underscored the importance of collaborative health initiatives between India and African nations, highlighting India's significant role as a health security provider during the COVID-19 pandemic.With a population of 1.4 billion, India is poised to assist African countries in bridging healthcare gaps, it was learned.Sharing his c ountry's best experience on the rapid healthcare infrastructure, the ambassador indicated that his country has embarked on a 600-billion USD worth of projects this year. Those Projects are largely driven by foreign investments.State Minister of Health, Frehiwot Abebe highlighted Ethiopia's strides in environmental sustainability and health sector development.Frehiwot elaborated that the government of Ethiopia has been executing a sound strategy to create a healthy and prosperous Ethiopia through cohesive health promotion and disease prevention.She also gave emphasis on the development of antimicrobial stewardship guidelines and the importance of collaboration among the health, environment, and agriculture sectors to enhance global health security.Ethiopia is also advancing its health supply chain, including digital solutions that now support 90 percent of health facilities nationwide, according to the State Minister. Frehiwot added that the country has planned to establish a vaccine manufacturing plan t to bolster self-reliance and local production.Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, praised Ethiopia's significant health advancements and government's investments in healthcare over the past decade.Alakbarov emphasized the vital role of the private sector in improving access to high-quality medical technology and services, which have become more affordable and widespread.The coordinator underscored the importance of prioritizing the health of Ethiopian women and children, advocating for universal access to vaccines and basic health services.He also urged African countries to focus on local production and innovation as key strategies to address health needs."One Earth, One Health" and "Healthcare Beyond Boundaries" is an Indian initiative aimed at enhancing the global ecosystem for health-related, anticipated to ensure quality, affordability, and accessibility of top-quality healthcare for all.Source: Ethiopian News Agency