Minister Sushma Swaraj Stresses Quality Healthcare in India-Africa Ties

While speaking at the ministerial meeting of the Third India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that ensuring access to affordable and quality medicines and treatment was an important area of cooperation between India and African countries. Swaraj said, "We recognize the value of training of doctors and healthcare personnel, including through tele-medicine, the use of affordable generic medicines, promoting the use of traditional medicines and their regulatory procedures. India has been an active participant of the international efforts to meet the challenges posed by pandemics, including Ebola and HIV/AIDS in Africa, over the last several years."

The minister further added, "The Pan African e-Network project links a large number of super-specialty hospitals in both India and Africa. Agriculture, education and skills development, energy and infrastructure, science and technology were other areas of cooperation. Both India and Africa were committed to work together to promote gender equality and empowerment of women."

Swaraj also said, "Our flagship program 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' is a nation-wide campaign to increase awareness on celebrating the girl child and enabling her education. This is another area where we can collaborate further."

Source-IANS