The absence of recent bulletins from the India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has sparked apprehensions about India’s ability to monitor and efficiently respond to potential new variants of Covid-19. To address this global need for rigorous tracking of virus variations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN).
The Absence of INSACOG Bulletins and Its Implications
Since March 27, 2023, the India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium, responsible for monitoring and sequencing Covid-19 variants in India, has not released a weekly bulletin. The Department of Biotechnology says there is no cause for alarm as no significant variants have been detected. Yet, this lapse in genomic tracking has raised questions about India’s preparedness to tackle emerging variants.
Strengthening Global Effort: WHO’s IPSN System
To counter the potential diversion of attention from Covid-19 and to fortify worldwide efforts in genomic surveillance, WHO recently launched the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN). Hosted by WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, the IPSN aims to expedite progress on pathogen genomics deployment and bolster public health decision-making. By enhancing the genomic surveillance ecosystem, the IPSN can aid early detection of new pathogens and help track their spread, thereby guiding better public health responses.
Climate Change Aftermath: Weather-Related Deaths India
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports that extreme weather events over the past 51 years have claimed nearly 150,000 lives in India. A detailed analysis by WMO shows that between 1970 and 2021, India encountered 573 climate-induced disasters, causing the second-highest number of deaths in Asia. These facts underline the urgency for efficient early warning systems and disaster management strategies.
Delving Deeper: Extreme Weather Events
Extreme weather events are unusual or unseasonal severe weather conditions that differ from the historical patterns in a specific location. Examples include heatwaves, cold waves, tropical cyclones, droughts, floods, and wildfires. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that due to human-made greenhouse gas emissions, many of these events have become more frequent and intense since 1950.
A Look at WHO’s Financial Budget
The 76th World Health Assembly (WHA) approved a budget of $6.83 billion for WHO for the next two years, marking a historic 20% increase in assessed contributions. Though the proportion of assessed contributions has been steadily declining, the budget shortfall has been met through voluntary donations. This dependence on voluntary funding raises issues about the organization’s sustainability and governance.
India Imposes Stricter Regulations for Exported Cough Syrups
Following recent incidents of contamination in India-produced cough syrups, the Indian government has imposed stringent regulations on their export. From June 1, 2023, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade requires all exported cough syrups to undergo testing and certification by a government lab. This development comes in response to findings by WHO that linked contaminated Indian-manufactured cough syrups to deaths in several countries. The contaminants, likely originating from tainted solvents used during manufacturing, can cause numerous health problems, including acute kidney injury.
