WTO Response to Covid-19 Pandemic and Preparedness For Future Pandemics/Pandemic Like Situations: Cross-border Telemedicine Services and Building Pool of Health Professionals - Post MC13 Work 

Communication FROM India

The following communication, dated 8 March 2024, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of India.

_______________

1.     We recall the Declaration at the MC12 on the WTO response to COVID-19 pandemic and preparedness for future pandemics.[1] We also recall the Ministerial guidance at MC13 as contained in Paragraph 22 of Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration.[2]

2.     We also note the encouragement given by our Ministers at the MC13 to the relevant WTO bodies to continue their work as directed by the Declaration, based on Members' submissions, to review and build on all the lessons learned and the challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, to build effective solutions in case of future pandemics in an expeditious manner.

3.     We underline the critical role of facilitating cross-border telemedicine services and building a pool of globally recognised health professionals to promote the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goal and respond effectively to natural disasters/pandemic like situations and note the submissions[3] made by Members in this regard.

4.     In light of the above, we call upon the General Council and the relevant WTO bodies to continue to work, in cooperation with the other relevant International Organisations, to identify the challenges, opportunities and possible multilateral and coordinated measures for cross-border telemedicine services and building a pool of globally recognised health professionals.

__________