As the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation marks its 25th anniversary, the Board of Trustees is convening in the Global South for the first time, choosing India as the location for this significant event.
Image: Pressfarm
During its G20 Presidency in 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the country’s dedication to leveraging its innovations to address global development challenges. Today, Indian solutions—ranging from vaccine production to AI-based diagnostics—are benefiting countries worldwide. TB diagnostic tools pioneered in India are being adapted for use in Africa, AI-driven agricultural models are aiding farmers across Asia, and digital technologies are setting new benchmarks for healthcare accessibility.
This decision underscores India’s pivotal role in the foundation’s mission. Having collaborated with government bodies, researchers, and entrepreneurs for over two decades, the foundation has played a key role in initiatives spanning public health, sanitation, women’s empowerment, and digital financial inclusion.
India stands as a testament to what can be achieved through innovation and commitment in public health. A prime example is the country’s battle against polio.
In 2011, India was one of the last places where polio remained endemic. Yet, through relentless efforts and strategic interventions, the country recorded its final polio case that year and has remained polio-free ever since with the World health Austhority in 2014 declaring Polio-Virus Free. In 1980s-1990s India reported tens of thousands of polio cases annually.
“Community health worker gives a vaccination in Odisha state, India” by DFID – UK Department for International Development is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
The Avahan HIV prevention program, another initiative supported by the Gates Foundation, introduced a community-driven model that significantly reduced infection rates. This approach was later incorporated into the national health strategy under government leadership.
A similar model is now being used to combat tuberculosis (TB), a disease for which India bears the world’s highest burden. With investments in advanced diagnostics, AI-assisted detection tools, and enhanced treatment strategies, India is making considerable progress toward TB elimination.
India’s contributions to global health have been profound – becoming a leader in affordable vaccine production, ensuring accessibility worldwide.
Indian enterprises are working to make medical diagnostics more cost-effective, such as the development of a saliva-based TB test priced under $2, which has the potential to transform early detection and treatment globally.
India is also driving the digital revolution, particularly in financial and healthcare accessibility.
The implementation of digital public infrastructure (DPI), including Aadhaar and India’s digital payment ecosystem, has streamlined access to essential services such as banking, healthcare, and government assistance. AI-powered DPI tools are now enabling rural healthcare workers to improve early disease detection, optimize maternal care, and efficiently manage patient records.
The agricultural sector is also benefiting from AI advancements.
Farmers in regions like Odisha are leveraging AI-driven tools to forecast weather patterns, select optimal crops, and mitigate disease risks. This visit offers an opportunity to engage with government officials, scientists, and philanthropists shaping the future of health and development in India. Meeting with innovators and witnessing the impact of ongoing initiatives firsthand will provide valuable insights into how the foundation can continue to support Indian-led solutions to global challenges.
The progress seen in India serves as a model for the world, reinforcing the power of collaboration, innovation, and commitment to positive change.
The content was adapted from Gates Notes newsletter.
