India seeks collaboration on holistic management of non-communicable diseases among SCO members as preventive approach

Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar on Friday chaired the sixth session of the Meeting of Ministers of Health of the Shanghai Corporation Organization (SCO) member states and underlined the need for collaboration on holistic management of non-communicable diseases among the member states to address the rising burden of the disease.

Dr Pawar highlighted the “need for collaboration on holistic management of non-communicable diseases through lifestyle modification, behavior change, and integration of NCD services at all levels of healthcare among the SCO member states as a preventive, promotive and curative approach to deal with NCDs”.

Dr Pawar also urged the SCO member states to recognize the potential of medical value travel in promoting and exploring the ways to collaborate and exchange best practices within the region. She also informed the gathering that the establishment of the World Health Organization’s Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in India aims to facilitate joint efforts between SCO member nations in leveraging both modern and traditional medicine systems.

“Establishing strong surveillance systems, promoting collaborative research and development, as well as medical countermeasures among SCO nations are vital steps towards achieving the goal of global health security”, said MoS Health.

Pawar stated that collective efforts by the SCO towards creating long-lasting positive impact for the betterment of mankind will guarantee health security for citizens, elevate global health as a top priority for economic development, and foster a united front to overcome challenges.

Highlighting the unprecedented challenges to the global healthcare landscape due to COVID-19, Pawar underlined the need for a unified approach and global collaborations to mitigate its impact, according to the statement. “The fact that we are here today, united and committed to each other, despite the challenging times, is a testament to our dedication and resilience,” she stated.

Underscoring the role of technology in improving the last-mile delivery of healthcare services, the Union minister said, “Digital health interventions can bridge the existing gap among different stakeholders of the healthcare ecosystem. Sharing of digital public goods within SCO nations will help in achieving the goal of Universal Health Coverage through usage of technological advancements in the field of healthcare delivery.”