The Pandemic Fund

The Pandemic Fund is playing a catalytic role in transforming India’s laboratory infrastructure and animal health surveillance into models of pandemic surveillance and containment.

Given the country’s size, effective lab networks are critical for containing outbreaks. Following approval of the US$25 million project in October 2024, India’s government has acted swiftly to strengthen labs at the national and state levels.

Initiatives underway include establishing national lab networks for genomic surveillance and AMR monitoring, implementing Laboratory Information Management Systems, and developing an Animal Health Data Warehouse. The two new networks comprise over 30 laboratories collaborating in a hub-and-spoke model, and the project is procuring disease-specific diagnostic equipment to operationalize their capabilities. Twelve states are participating, with a focus on labs in rural areas populated by pastoralists and smallholder farmers.

In parallel, India is conducting a nationwide effort to upgrade labs to meet the standards of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. Detailed assessments of seven labs are underway.

Supported by partners including the ADB, FAO, and World Bank, the project aims to improve lab detection of potential epidemics and equip them to handle high-consequence biological agents. Together with India’s efforts on bridging gaps in surveillance and training (see page X), these initiatives will better position the country to detect and respond to pandemic threats and outbreaks under a unified One Health framework.