From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 9: The State Government is mulling setting up a 'Pandemic Preparedness Innovation Centre' to face impending threats posed by any pandemic to the human, veterinary or environment world.

Regarding this, a crucial meeting was held in presence of Science and Technology Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan at Vikasa Souda on Thursday.

The representatives of Bharat Biotech, a leading manufacturer of vaccines and members of the Wisconsin-Madison University (The USA) delegation were present.

The meeting took a note of cases of new viruses that are being found post COVID-19 pandemic and it was felt this indicates there may emerge a threat situation for humans, veterinary or environment world at any point of time.

To face any such situation setting up a 'Pandemic Preparedness Innovation Centre' would be helpful, attendees of the meeting felt.

The government aims to achieve this by collaborating with Bharat Biotech and University of Madison- Wisconsin- Madison. This would also facilitate sharing of knowledge between the University of W-M and Karnataka.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Narayan said the government was committed to make all arrangements required to provide good health for the people and create sustainable environment.

Krishna Ella, Co-Founder, Bharat Biotech, Dr E V Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Dr Vishal Rao, Oncologist and member of government's Biotech Vision Group, Ravi, MD, Bharat Biotech, Dr Jitendra Kumar, MD, BBC, Julia Frangul, Maj Fischer, Matt Greenberg and other members of the University of W-M delegation were present.