Discussed preparations for future pandemics: Poonawalla

Advertisement

Coming out of the meeting, Poonawalla said that it (achieving the 100 crore mark was “a historic moment”, and the industry worked together with the vision of PM Modi to materialise it….reports Asian Lite News

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla said that he and other vaccine manufacturers on Saturday discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on how to take the industry forward to prepare for the future pandemics.

“We discussed the ways of enhancing the capacities of the industry among many issues with PM Modi in today’s (Saturday’s) meeting,” he said.

Poonawalla said that the vaccines industry is going forward, many countries across the world are investing in vaccine production and in such a scenario, India needs to stay ahead of others. “We discussed with the PM how to achieve that together with the government and industry,” he added.

The Prime Minister on Saturday held a meeting with representatives of seven vaccine manufacturers – Serum Institute of India (SII), Bharat Biotech, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Zydus Cadila, Biological E, Gennova Biopharma, and Panacea Biotech – on the occasion of achieving the key milestone of administering 100 crore vaccine doses.

Coming out of the meeting, Poonawalla said that it (achieving the 100 crore mark was “a historic moment”, and the industry worked together with the vision of PM Modi to materialise it.

“Enhancing the capacities to make ready for future pandemic featured prominently among other issues in PM Modi’s interaction,” he said.

SII MD Cyrus S. Poonawalla said that the Prime Minister “was happy today as we have made the assurance fulfilled of made-in-India Covid vaccines. He said that we will make India self-sufficient with Covid vaccines like other vaccines at the lowest price in the world”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that India’s achievement of completing 100 crore Covid vaccinations earlier this week will boost confidence among domestic and international tourists, while adding that Goa’s tourism sector would benefit from the feat.

“India has crossed the 100 crore vaccination mark. This has increased the confidence among people of India and tourists too,” Modi said during an interactive session with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, local bureaucrats and beneficiaries of the schemes launched under the ‘Swayampura Bharat’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Goa’ programmes.

“Now when you are preparing for Diwali, Christmas and New Year, then in this season of festivals and holidays one will be able to see a new energy in the tourism sector in Goa,” the Prime Minister added.

“Domestic and international tourist footfalls to Goa will also definitely increase. This is a good sign for the tourism sector in Goa,” he said.

The preservation of the environment and progress in Goa’s tourism sector was directly linked to the development of India, Modi added.

“Goa is an important centre for tourism in India. In the fast-progressing Indian economy, the share of the tour, travel and hospitality industry is increasing continuously. It is obvious that Goa has a contribution towards this end,” the Prime Minister said, adding that over the last few years, his government had been attempting to boost the tourism and hospitality sector in the country.

ALSO READ: Modi thanks healthcare, frontline workers, hails vax makers

[mc4wp_form id=""]
Advertisement