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Thursday, September 1, 2016

In an attempt to bring down dependence on the West for expertise on health research, the government is preparing the ground for a partnership with the African continent.

Four different ministries — of Health and Family Welfare, External Affairs, Commerce and Industry, and Science and Technology — are coming together to conduct the India-Africa Health Sciences Meet.

Speaking to the BusinessLine ahead of the event, Soumya Swaminathan, Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Secretary to the Department of Health Research, said this meet, which comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a $10-million India-Africa Health Fund last year, is a step in the direction of more ‘South-South’ collaborations.

ICMR will be coordinating the meet starting September 1.

“We have common health problems, limited resources and India is probably better developed in terms of its industry and biotech capacity, manufacturing abilities as well as medical care facilities in terms of hospitals and doctors. If we have to invest in research and development (R&D) it would be a win-win in the sense we have common priorities, we can share resources and therefore get more out of it and you can dilute the risks and share the benefits,” Swaminathan said.