News Highlight
The World Bank hailed India’s efforts in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic in a report documenting the challenges, innovations, and lessons in procuring essential medical items.
Key Takeaway
- The health ministry shared the paper titled ‘India Covid-19 Procurement: Challenges, Innovations, and Lessons’.
- The World Bank noted that the Indian government’s decision to have centralised procurement, support for long-term market development, and production of emergency medical equipment (EME) and early export restrictions worked in its favour during the public health emergency in the country.
India Covid-19 Procurement: Challenges, Innovations, and Lessons.
- The report hailed India’s central procurement agency, HLL Lifecare Limited, for hiring inspection agencies to undertake pre-dispatch inspections at manufacturing sites to ensure quality products.
- The quality assessment was then independently conducted by competent laboratories such as DRDO, Defense Research Development Establishment (DRDE), Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Labs of Ordinance Factory Board, and South India Textile Research Association (SITRA).
- The World Bank also noted that the Indian government provided a conducive environment for the indigenous medical devices industry’s growth.
- A unique feature in India was the private sector’s active role in testing, contributing to nearly 50 per cent of the laboratories and venture capital, raising additional resources to support domestic manufacturing of COVID commodities.
Four critical innovations by India
- According to its assessment, the World Bank listed four key innovations by India that helped in the successful handling of the pandemic situation in the country.
- The adoption of a whole-of-government approach to stimulate local production.
- Introduction of the accelerated tendering process and quality assurance protocols.
- Efficient supply chain management is informed by computerised modelling.
- Quick quality-assured Covid commodities to the government’s e-procurement site for prompt access.
World Health Organisation
- Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations specialised agency that connects nations, partners, and people to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable—so everyone everywhere can attain the highest level of health.
- It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
- There are 194 member states, 150 country offices, and six regional offices.
- The WHO provides leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries, and monitoring and assessing health trends.
Content Source: The Hindu