United Nations: India will cooperate in the development of vaccines and drugs to fight the Ebola virus “for the poorest of the poor at realistic prices”, Indian Ambassador to the UN Asoke Kumar Mukerji has told the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
The Indian ambassador said, “The international community must support research and development of a vaccine to cure Ebola, which must be made available especially to the poorest of the poor at realistic prices, and India is committed to cooperation to this end.”
“India has a track record of participating actively in multilateral efforts to tackle public health emergencies like our response to the HIV/AIDS issue a decade ago in Africa and Asia,” he added.
UNGA President Sam Kutesa warned that the Ebola outbreak, now mostly affecting three West African countries, “could quickly evolve from a regional to an international crisis”.
With Ebola cases reaching the shores of the US and Spain, he said, “In today’s interconnected world, Ebola is a threat that can easily land at any nation’s doorstep.”
Mukerji said, “India has put in place several measures to deal with the possible threat within the country and activated the relevant national disaster response mechanisms to maintain high alert.” The world body has set up the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) to mobilise action against the crisis now ravaging Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. “Given the unprecedented nature of the epidemic, the international community must work together to come up with innovative, yet practical solutions to contain the further spread of Ebola,” the UNGA president said. Mukerji said India has given $10m to the UN Secretary General’s Fund for Ebola and $2m for buying protective gear for those fighting
the disease. IANS
