New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) The government will work in a public-private partnership to ensure proper COVID-19 healthcare to over 1.3 billion Indians, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said here on Friday.

This will ensure success in the battles that lie ahead, observed Mr Goyal, as the country saw a fresh wave of Novel Coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing the Asia Health 2020 summit of industry chamber CII, the Minister said events like this will help in germinating new ideas, coming up with new solutions to many problems of the country.

This will also help in developing proper last mile connectivity and delivery of vaccine, when available.

Mr Goyal stressed the importance of ensuring vaccines at an affordable price to all, including less developed countries and poor, saying that this is going to be a collective responsibility of all.

India will play an important role in ensuring cost-effective and innovative healthcare solutions for future, he added.

India and South Africa have proposed to the World Trade Organisation to ease international agreements that might pose a challenge to procure COVID-19 vaccine, once it is available.

WHO has backed the proposal.

UNI SRJ RJ 1812