India and Denmark initiated a four-day bilateral dialogue in New Delhi, involving the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) from India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Denmark’s Statens Serum Institute (SSI) under the Ministry of the Interior and Health. The dialogue aims to enhance collaboration between the two countries in the areas of infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the One Health approach.
The inaugural session saw the participation of Denmark’s Ambassador Freddy Svane, Directorate General of Health Services Prof. Atul Goel, and other senior officials from India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Health announced, “A four-day event has begun to facilitate bilateral dialogue between NCDC, @MoHFW_India, and SSI, Ministry of the Interior and Health of Denmark. This initiative aims to strengthen cooperation in tackling infectious diseases, addressing antimicrobial resistance, and promoting the One Health approach.”
The post also highlighted the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel, DGHS, and Ambassador Freddy Svane, along with other key officials from both India and Denmark, at the inaugural session. Prof. Goel emphasized the need for global collaboration in preparedness for future pandemics, citing the lessons learned from COVID-19.
“There is a collaborative dialogue between India’s NCDC and Denmark’s SSI. Significant health issues today include antimicrobial resistance, the One Health approach, and the prevention of infectious diseases, particularly informed by our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Prof. Goel stated to reporters.
He stressed the importance of international partnerships, noting that, “Post-COVID, we must be ready for upcoming pandemics, and such collaborations, like the one between India and Denmark, are crucial.”
Prof. Goel highlighted that sharing experiences between the two countries will advance efforts in these key areas. He noted that while the One Health approach is often considered new, it fundamentally concerns ecosystem health, which has been neglected in the pursuit of development.
As reported by msn.com, “The concept of ‘One Health’ is not entirely new; it focuses on the health of our entire ecosystem. Humanity has overlooked this in its development pursuits, but now there is a renewed understanding of its importance,” he remarked during the event.
When asked about a formal agreement, he mentioned that while an agreement of intent will be signed soon, the dialogue also celebrates 75 years of India-Denmark relations.
He also noted that the Ministry of Health has issued an advisory to all states on necessary precautions, particularly advising patients to avoid the midday heat. “Activities should be conducted either before peak noon or after peak summer. Children should not play during peak heat. A simple method to protect against heatwaves is to wet a cap before wearing it,” he advised.