In recent news, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has sanctioned $500 million for India’s initiative ‘Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project’. The initiation of this project holds promising prospects for aiding India in combating the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and fortifying its public health preparedness.
Project Aim
The primary objective of this project is to curtail and limit the spread of Covid-19 throughout India. It encompasses instant support for enhancing disease detection capabilities, oxygen delivery systems, and medication, among other aspects. Furthermore, it aspires to reinforce India’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) and boost the capacity to manage potential disease outbreaks effectively.
The IDSP aims towards bolstering and maintaining decentralized lab-based and IT-enabled disease surveillance systems for diseases that are prone to causing epidemics. It also strives towards building the capacity and systems to detect existing and emerging zoonoses and improve viral research and diagnostic laboratories for testing and research, considering about 75% of new infectious diseases begin via human-to-animal contacts.
Beneficiaries
This project would extend its coverage to all states and Union Territories across India. It will address the needs of infected individuals, populations at risk, medical and emergency staff, service providers, medical and testing facilities, and national and animal health agencies.
Finances
The financing of the project is undertaken by the World Bank and AIIB, amounting to $1.5 billion, with $1.0 billion contributed by the World Bank and the remaining $500 million by the AIIB.
Implementation
The implementation responsibility of this project rests with the National Health Mission (NHM), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The NHM was initiated by the Indian government in 2013, which took over the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission. The NCDC operates as the central agency in India for disease surveillance, facilitating the prevention and control of communicable diseases under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. ICMR is the leading authority in India for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research.
About Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
The AIIB is a multilateral development bank committed to improving social and economic conditions in Asia. Established by the AIIB Articles of Agreement, it started operations in January 2016 with its headquarters in Beijing. India joined the AIIB in 2016 as a regional member. Today, the membership of the AIIB has grown to 102 approved members across the globe, including fourteen G-20 nations such as France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. By investing in sustainable infrastructure and other fruitful sectors, it aims to positively influence the lives of billions and build a better future.
Source: PIB
