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In a significant step toward global health collaboration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India’s contribution of $7.5 million under the ‘Quad Cancer Moonshot’ initiative. The funds will be directed towards providing sampling kits, detection kits, and vaccines to combat cervical cancer, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. This initiative aligns with India’s vision of ‘One Earth, One Health,’ emphasizing the interconnectedness of global health challenges and the need for collective action.
The announcement came during the sixth Quad Leaders’ Summit held in Wilmington, Delaware, where the leaders of India, the United States, Japan, and Australia gathered to discuss collaborative strategies in health and security. The ‘Quad Cancer Moonshot’ initiative, inspired by the U.S.’s Cancer Moonshot program, aims to significantly reduce cervical cancer deaths in the Indo-Pacific region through early detection, vaccination, and treatment.
Prime Minister Modi lauded the initiative, stating, “In cancer care, collaboration is essential for cure. An integrated approach of prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment is necessary to reduce the burden of cancer.” He expressed gratitude to U.S. President Joe Biden for organizing the summit, which he said exemplifies the Quad nations’ shared commitment to accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare.
India’s efforts to combat cervical cancer, the Prime Minister emphasized, include a mass-scale, cost-effective screening program and the development of the country’s own cervical cancer vaccine. “India is running the world’s largest health insurance scheme, and special centers have been created to ensure affordable access to medicines,” Modi highlighted. He also mentioned the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing new treatment protocols, underscoring India’s readiness to share its experience and expertise with other countries.
In addition to the $7.5 million contribution, India will supply 40 million vaccine doses to Indo-Pacific countries under the GAVI and QUAD initiatives. “These 40 million vaccine doses will bring rays of hope to the lives of crores of people,” Modi said. “When the Quad acts, it is not just for nations – it is for the people. This is the true essence of our human-centric approach.”
The ‘Quad Cancer Moonshot’ initiative reflects the collective resolve of Quad nations to tackle cervical cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. By combining resources and expertise, the initiative aims to enhance cancer prevention, screening, and treatment in the region, ultimately saving countless lives.
The summit’s focus on cervical cancer aligns with India’s broader vision of global health cooperation, echoing the country’s stance on making healthcare more equitable and sustainable. Through initiatives like this, India continues to demonstrate its leadership in global health challenges, reinforcing its commitment to building a healthier world for all.
