What political parties must address ?
C O V E R S T O R Y ecosystems .
Neglecting bioscience on the poll agenda hampers innovation in critical sectors such as healthcare , agriculture , and environmental sustainability . Without political support and funding , research institutions and biotechnology companies may struggle to pursue groundbreaking discoveries and develop solutions to pressing challenges .
In recent years , with the increasing recognition of the importance of biotechnology , health technology and agricultural technology in India ' s development , several political parties have started focusing on these sectors . While healthcare and agriculture have increasingly found the mention in the manifestos of the parties but the biotechnology still remains off the radar .
Here ' s a broader look at how some of the major political parties in India are approaching these areas .
Many initiatives by BJP led govt but bioscience still missing from election agenda
What political parties must address ?
• Lack of comprehensive policies
• Awareness and understanding
• Infrastructure and human resource constraints
• Regulatory challenges
• Access to funding
• Addressing socioeconomic disparities
• Resistance to change
• Intersectoral coordination
The Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) government has emphasized the importance of biotechnology in various sectors , including healthcare , agriculture , and industry . Initiatives such as the National Biotechnology Development Strategy aim to promote research , innovation , and entrepreneurship in biotechnology . The government has supported the establishment of biotechnology parks and incubation centers to foster collaboration between academia and industry .
In the context of HealthTech , the BJPled government has launched several initiatives to improve healthcare infrastructure and access to healthcare services . Programs like Ayushman Bharat , often referred to as the world ' s largest government-funded healthcare program and increased number of AIIMS to cater to requirements of far off regions and various medical colleges to increase the number of UG and PG seats in medical education
The government has also encouraged the adoption of technology in
16
BioVoiceNews | May / June 2024