India joins the QUAD Cancer Moonshot initiative 

The QUAD Cancer Moonshot initiative is a vital collaboration between India, the United States, Australia, and Japan aimed at reducing the cancer burden in the Indo-Pacific, with a key focus on cervical cancer. As an Indian, I am proud of India’s role in providing $7.5 million in funding for sampling kits, detection tools and cervical cancer vaccines worth $7.5 million to the Indo-Pacific region, 40 million human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine doses, and AI-driven cancer screening protocols. These contributions reflect our commitment to affordable, accessible healthcare for underserved regions. The Quad countries have also committed to further contributing to Gavi – the global vaccine alliance.

What stands out is the holistic approach combining prevention, early detection, and treatment through a unified effort. India’s expertise in cost-effective screening methods, as part of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, like the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) technique offers scalable solutions that can benefit the Indo-Pacific. The implementation research by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will be important in this regard. The National Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) portal of India, which tracks long-term data on cancer screening and care, will be utilised to share technical expertise in digital health with the Indo-Pacific region.

In my view, the Cancer Moonshot is not just about fighting one disease, it sets a new benchmark for international cooperation in tackling global health issues, ensuring that healthcare advancements reach even the most vulnerable populations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 4th QUAD Leader’s Summit that took place on September 21, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware – the hometown of American President Joe Biden.