SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Institutions: Ministry of Science & Technology
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, hosted a Special Round Table focused on strengthening global genomic collaborations for pandemic preparedness. The meeting brought together leading researchers and science administrators from India and Italy, including representatives from AIIMS New Delhi and Istituto Superiore di SanitΓ (ISS), Rome.
The deliberations emphasized that the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic makes it critical for nations to work together to enhance genomic surveillance, research translation, and health system readiness. Participants stressed that future pandemics are inevitable, and underscored the crucial role of sustained scientific cooperation between India and Italy in understanding and containing the spread of viruses. Furthermore, a strong need was highlighted for effectively communicating scientific knowledge to the public to empower citizens and combat misinformation and false narratives.
This initiative strengthens Indiaβs science diplomacy and its strategic partnership with Italy in the critical field of health security. By focusing on genomic evidence and research translation, it aims to establish data-driven public health responses, which is vital for protecting both the national economy and public well-being against future biological threats.
What is Genomic Surveillance in Public Health?β Genomic surveillance is the systematic use of genetic sequencing to track the evolution and spread of pathogens (like viruses or bacteria). By quickly sequencing samples from infected individuals, public health agencies can identify new variants, track how the disease is spreading geographically, and inform real-time decisions on vaccine composition, treatment protocols, and public health interventions.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What specific funding mechanisms will the Department of Science & Technology establish to ensure the longevity and scale of the collaborative genomic surveillance research models developed with international partners like Italy?
Follow the full news here: ICGEB New Delhi Hosts International Round Table on Global Genomic Collaborations for Pandemic Preparedness