PM Modi Interacts With Bill Gates On Global Response To Covid-19 Crisis, Vaccine Development & More

The PM seeks suggestions from Gates on how India’s capacities and capabilities could be better leveraged for the general benefit of the world.

The PM has asked for suggestions from Gates on how India’s capacities and capabilities could be better. (Image: narendramodi.in)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on video conferencing and discussed the global response to coronavirus outbreak, besides offering help in solving challenges that may crop up post Covid-19 world. The discussion was focused on the importance of global coordination on scientific innovation and R&D to combat the pandemic. Modi had explained to the IT czar about India’s approach in its fight against the health crisis, which is majorly focused on ensuring public engagement through appropriate messaging.  He said the people-centric bottom-up approach has helped win acceptability for physical distancing, respect for front-line workers, wearing of masks, maintaining proper hygiene, and respecting lockdown provisions.

Had an extensive interaction with @BillGates. We discussed issues ranging from India’s efforts to fight Coronavirus, work of the @gatesfoundation in battling COVID-19, role of technology, innovation and producing a vaccine to cure the pandemic. https://t.co/UlxEq72i3L

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 14, 2020

Prime Minister also mentioned India’s efforts in several areas to contain the pandemic. Some of the initiatives included expanding financial inclusion, strengthening last-mile delivery of health services, popularising cleanliness and hygiene through the Swachh Bharat Mission, taking the benefit of Ayurvedic wisdom to enhance people’s immunity, etc - had helped increase the effectiveness of India’s response to the present pandemic. In view of the health-related projects undertaken by the Gates Foundation in India and other places around the world, Modi praised its efforts along with coordinating the global response to Covid-19. The PM has asked for suggestions from  Gates on how India’s capacities and capabilities could be better leveraged for the general benefit of the world. Some of the ideas that the dignitaries explored in this context included drawing upon India’s unique model of last-mile health service delivery in rural areas, dissemination of the effective contact-tracing mobile app developed by the government, and above all by leveraging India’s massive pharmaceutical capacity to scale-up the production of vaccines and therapeutics upon their discovery. Both agreed that given India’s willingness and capacity to contribute to global efforts, particularly for benefit of fellow developing countries, it is crucial for India to be included in the ongoing global discussions for coordinating responses to the pandemic. Prime Minister also suggested that the Gates Foundation could take the lead in analysing the necessary changes in lifestyles, economic organisation, social behaviour, modes of disseminating education and healthcare, that would emerge in the post-Covid-19 world, and the associated technological challenges that would need to be addressed.