New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Quad Cancer Moonshot event hosted by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. during the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister commended President Biden’s initiative to prevent, detect, and treat cervical cancer, emphasizing that the program will significantly enhance affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for people in Indo-Pacific countries. He highlighted India’s own mass cervical cancer screening program and noted that the country has developed a cervical cancer vaccine, as well as an AI-based treatment protocol for the disease.

As India’s contribution to the Cancer Moonshot initiative, the Prime Minister announced a grant of USD 7.5 million for cancer testing, screening, and diagnostics in the Indo-Pacific region, in line with India’s vision of “ONE WORLD, ONE HEALTH.” He also stated that India will provide support for radiotherapy treatment and capacity building for cancer prevention in the region. Additionally, he mentioned that Indo-Pacific countries will benefit from 40 million vaccine doses supplied by India through GAVI and QUAD programs. The Prime Minister reiterated that when the Quad acts, it is for the people, reflecting its human-centric approach.

India will also extend technical assistance to interested countries in the Indo-Pacific on digital health initiatives for cancer screening and care, through its USD 10 million contribution to WHO’s Global Initiative on Digital Health.

The Quad leaders committed to collaborating on addressing gaps in the cervical cancer care and treatment ecosystem in the Indo-Pacific countries through the Cancer Moonshot initiative. A Joint Cancer Moonshot Fact Sheet was released during the event.