Union Cabinet approves MoU between India, Italy for cooperation in Health sector

Current Affairs, 21 December 2017

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 December 2017 gave its ex-post-facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and

Italy for cooperation in the field of Health and Medical Sciences. The MoU was signed on 29 November 2017 in New Delhi.

The MoU covers the following areas of cooperation:

• Exchange & training of medical doctors, officials, other health professionals and experts.

• Assistance in development of human resources and setting up of health care facilities.

• Short-term training of human resources in health.

• Regulation of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics and exchange of information thereon.

• Promotion of business development opportunities in pharmaceuticals.

• Procurement of generic and essential drugs and assistance in sourcing of drug supplies.

• Procurement of health equipment and pharmaceutical products.

• Collaboration in the prevention of NCDs of mutual interest, such as neurocardiovascular diseases, cancer, COPDs, mental health and dementia, with an emphasis on SDG3 and related factors.

• Collaboration in the field of climate change impact on communicable diseases and vector-borne diseases.

• Nutritional aspects of food intake, including malnutrition (over nutrition and undernutrition) in the light of the SDG2 and organization of nutritional services.

• Safety of production, transformation, distribution and food delivery.

• Research and training of food industry operators.

• Information and communication to citizens on hygiene and food safety and healthy eating habits.

Besides this, the agreement will cover any other area that may be mutually decided upon by both the nations.

A Joint Working Group (JWG) will be set up to oversee the implementation of the MoU and further elaborate on the details of cooperation.

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