USIBC launches health initiative for India

Washington, June 1 (UNI) The US-India Business Council (USIBC) has launched a new initiative -- 'Coalition for Healthy India' (CHI) -- to provide improved access to healthcare in India, including access to the latest treatments and innovations.

USIBC President Ron Somers, in a statement yesterday, said, ''The CHI intends to bring together the US and Indian business community, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and medical professionals to coordinate and support improved access to healthcare in India, consistent with efforts being taken by the Government of India as well as the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes being pursued throughout India by the US and Indian private sector.'' He said ''the initiative includes bolstering the protection of intellectual property and innovation so that the best class of treatments and devices across the broad spectrum of healthcare challenges facing India are and remain available and accessible to the common man.'' The CHI will concentrate on raising health standards, including the accreditation of health care facilities and penetration of health insurance coverage, with a particular emphasis on rural areas where more than 60 per cent of Indians live and work.

Moreover, CHI will work collaboratively with other efforts underway in India to raise awareness about the scourge of HIV/AIDS, while promoting preventative measures and improving access to effective and affordable treatment regimes.

''The Coalition for Healthy India will work towards fostering the creative environment necessary for India to assume its rightful place as a world-class leader in public health,'' Somers said.

USIBC's Director and Counsel for Intellectual Property Greg Kalbaugh will spearhead the campaign. Kalbaugh is organising a broad coalition of like-minded think-tanks, health care providers and industry and patient representatives from India and the US.

USIBC will go online with its website for the initiative (www.ahealthyindia.com) and announce its coalition partners at its 'Global India Summit', which will take place in Washington June 26-27.

The event will mark the 32nd anniversary of USIBC and will feature Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, US Trade Representative Susan Schwab, Boeing CEO Jim McNerney, and Reliance Chairman and CEO Mukesh Ambani.

UNI