India and China are poised to sign a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the Health sector. This was decided during talks, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr.Anbumani Ramadoss had with his Chinese counterpart and other authorities in Beijing. Dr.Ramadoss has asked the Indian Ambassador in Beijing to follow-up and to complete the formalities for the signing of the MoU.

One of the most important outcome of the visit is the likely supply of raw material (probably available only in China) for manufacturing TamiFlu Vaccine. This is to combat the bird-flu likely to strike the South-Asian region, including India in the coming foreseeable future. Dr.Ramadoss urged the Chinese Health Minister Mr.Gao Qiang to help facilitate the supply of the raw material on cost-effective basis.

During his meeting with the Chinese Minister for National Population and Family Planning Commission Mr.Zhang Weiquing, Dr.Ramadoss explored the possibilities of having cooperation between the two sides in the control of population and reproductive health-care programmes. This includes supply of contraceptive and other commodities connected with reproduction and health-care.

During the wide-ranging discussions with the Chinese leaders, a tie-up between the two countries in medico-commercial sector was also considered. India is the fourth highest in world’s global pharmaceutical industry with having largest number of US-FDA approved drugs and pharmaceutical items. Since, their quality is proven, the Chinese side was keen on having a tie-up in this regard with India.

The two countries, which have effective traditional systems of medicine, also wanted to have collaboration in the sector, particularly in testing and scientific validation of traditional medicines. The National Medicinal Plants Board in India will have a tie-up with the Chinese side for further improvement in processing, preserving and export of medicinal plants. The two sides agreed that their experiences in registering intellectual property rights on traditional medicines should be shared between the two.

China was keen on sharing India’s experiences in the areas of emerging infectious diseases like the bird-flu, collection of epidemiological data for having better network towards disease surveillance as well as combating HIV/AIDS.

An exposition on “Reproductive Health, Family Planning – New Technologies and Products”, opened in Beijing today. The exposition is of great technical and commercial interest to India. Dr.Ramadoss visited the exhibition alongwith his Chinese counterpart and evinced keen interest in the products on display.

VKS/NSK/SR