India is taking a proactive stance in addressing the complex interplay between climate change and public health by partnering with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to establish a Climate Change and Health Hub in the nation’s capital. This strategic move follows India’s earlier success in securing the World Health Organization (WHO) Centre for Global Traditional Medicine, located in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The forthcoming climate change and health hub is poised to become a pivotal platform for fostering knowledge exchange, encouraging collaborative partnerships, and driving innovations. The hub’s mission extends beyond the G-20, with a special focus on supporting developing countries that are disproportionately affected by these challenges.
Asian Development Bank
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), founded in 1966, is a prominent international financial institution dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and reducing poverty in its member countries. With its headquarters situated in Manila, ADB is a collective effort of 68 member nations, 49 of which hail from the region and 19 from around the world. Notably, the largest shareholders of ADB are the United States and Japan. Operating as an official United Nations Observer, ADB allocates voting rights based on members’ capital subscriptions, fostering a balanced and representative decision-making process.
WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine
The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM), established in Jamnagar, Gujarat, stands as a pioneering hub for traditional medicine knowledge. Spearheaded by India as the lead investor, the GCTM has committed approximately $250 million to facilitate its establishment, infrastructure development, and operations.
The centre is envisioned to serve five primary objectives:
- Traditional Knowledge Database: The GCTM endeavors to compile an extensive repository of traditional knowledge systems through the application of cutting-edge technology.
- International Standards: By setting international standards for testing and certifying traditional medicines, the GCTM aims to enhance confidence in these therapeutic approaches.
- Global Expert Collaboration: Serving as a converging point for traditional medicine experts worldwide, the GCTM will foster the exchange of insights and experiences.
- Research Funding Mobilization: The centre aspires to attract funding to propel research in the realm of traditional medicines.
- Holistic Disease Protocols: The GCTM intends to formulate protocols that enable the holistic treatment of specific ailments, merging the strengths of traditional and modern medicine.
Climate Change and Health Hub
In a rapidly evolving global landscape, the link between climate change and health has emerged as a pressing concern. India’s decision to establish the Climate Change and Health Hub, in collaboration with ADB, underscores the urgency of addressing this nexus. Acknowledging the potential ramifications of climate change on health systems, India emphasized the need for climate-resilient health systems, sustainable healthcare supply chains, and collaborative efforts through initiatives like the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), led by WHO.
G-20 Health Ministers’ Meet: Amplifying Concerns
The recently concluded G-20 Health Ministers’ meeting highlighted apprehensions surrounding zoonotic spill-overs and the subsequent resurgence of infectious diseases. This underscores the significance of identifying and addressing the drivers of these challenges through a science-based and risk-focused approach. Additionally, enhancing existing infectious disease surveillance systems emerged as a critical imperative.
UPSC Mains Questions
- How does the establishment of the Climate Change and Health Hub align with India’s broader efforts to address climate change and its impact on public health?
- In what ways does the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine contribute to India’s role as a global leader in traditional medicine knowledge?
- How can the Climate Change and Health Hub facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among countries, particularly those that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change?
- With the escalating concerns about zoonotic diseases, how might the hub’s activities contribute to identifying and mitigating the drivers of these diseases on a global scale?