Vaccine supply issue: Nadda to visit China
19 March 2015 11:43 PM GMT
In the wake of China refusing to supply about 16 million doses of Japanese Encephalitis, the week-long visit of Union Health Minister JP Nadda to the land of the dragons is considered as very crucial. According to sources in the ministry, the health minister is scheduled to leave for Beijing on March 24, the day which is observed as World Tuberculosis Day. The minister will be visiting China to attend a conference on health issues.
“There are several pertinent issues that are expected to be discussed during the visit of health minister to China. The recent row over supply of Japanese Encephalitis vaccine would top the agenda of minister’s visit. It’s also expected that the minister would streamline pricing of medicine issue with China, which will pave way for uninterrupted supply of JE vaccines,” a source in the health ministry said. Apart from this, Nadda is also likely to discuss different drug supply policies with his counterpart during his maiden visit to the country.
The regular supply of JE vaccine is the need of the hour for effective implementation of government’s ambitious immunisation programme. According to health ministry officials, presently India procures 66 mn doses of JE vaccine from China and has sought an additional 16 mn doses.
“There are several pertinent issues that are expected to be discussed during the visit of health minister to China. The recent row over supply of Japanese Encephalitis vaccine would top the agenda of minister’s visit. It’s also expected that the minister would streamline pricing of medicine issue with China, which will pave way for uninterrupted supply of JE vaccines,” a source in the health ministry said. Apart from this, Nadda is also likely to discuss different drug supply policies with his counterpart during his maiden visit to the country.
The regular supply of JE vaccine is the need of the hour for effective implementation of government’s ambitious immunisation programme. According to health ministry officials, presently India procures 66 mn doses of JE vaccine from China and has sought an additional 16 mn doses.
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