By KUNA
New Delhi : Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday that his government was committed to sharing the experience of control and containment of the outbreak of influenza in poultry with international community. Addressing a three-day international ministerial conference on avian and pandemic influenza at Delhi today, Singh said, “Avian influenza, like all pandemics, is a global threat and we must all work together to find a global solution. Each Government will have to act locally, but think globally while dealing with the problem.” “Each outbreak of a pandemic has also taught us a few lessons. We need to pool this experience and work together. The world community has exhibited considerable maturity and concern by frequently reviewing and assessing the global situation in such conferences. The experience of developed countries may not always be relevant for developing countries, especially if the capabilities are very different. Hence, we need to be sensitive to national capabilities and capacities and build these where necessary through international collective efforts,” he said.
He said that focused governmental intervention must go hand-in-hand with community empowerment in addressing such health care challenges. “It is important to include all stakeholders in the communication outreach. In the specific case of avian influenza, such communication should cover the entire production, marketing and commercial chain of poultry production,” he added.
“We should guard against institutional fatigue in dealing with such pandemics, and never lower our guard. Eternal vigilance is, indeed, the price of good health, both of our people and of our economies,” the Prime Minister stressed. “India is committed to share the experience of control and containment of the outbreak in poultry. The ability and capacity of India’s pharmaceutical industry is recognized the world over. Indian companies are producing Oseltamivir, the recommended drug for avian influenza,” he said.
“Indias Road Map for 2008 would be shared at the fonference. While recognizing the need for a long-term vision to control and eliminate avian influenza and the threat of human pandemic, the necessity of taking urgent action now and in the present must also be seen. Through our Road Map 2008 we endeavor to suggest action points, which are deliverable and achievable in the next one year. India commits itself to adhere to the roadmap,” he added. Addressing the conference, Indias Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramadoss said that the persistent, though unpredictable, threat to animal and human health was enhanced by the apprehension that a second strain of avian influenza, previous considered of little human risk, did indeed pose a real danger. “We will need to continue to enhance and strengthen such global cooperation, ” he added.
In his address at the conference, Indian Minister of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Sharad Pawar said that controlling avian influenza remained an enormous challenge particularly to the administration and the veterinary and medical communities. “It has spread to new countries, continents and eco-systems. Therefore, we collectively need to assess the current situation, the effectiveness of the strategies applied and revisit our policies,” Pawar said.