We are honored to have with us Norways first Ambassador for global health,  John-Arne Røttingen , for our Republic Day Podcast episode. Norway is one of the largest donors to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which works to improve access to vaccines and strengthen vaccination programmes and health systems in low-income countries. In the budget proposal for 2021, the Government proposed to enter into an agreement with Gavi on the provision of NOK 10.25 billion in funding, to be disbursed in the period 2021–2030.

In our very constructive podcast with His Excellency Dr. Røttingen, the Norwegian Global Health Ambassador, we go into details around current and general health challenges on a global setting and the importance of multilateralism.

We got to learn about the importance of health diplomacy, which can yield results with regards to improved global health, greater equity, better relations and trust between countries. It can also yield a strengthened commitment on the part of stakeholders to work together to improve health both nationally and globally.

Ambassador Røttingen praised India's contribution on a global platform, with the expertise, resources and infrastructure amongst other contributions India has to offer on a wider medical domain.

Ambassador Røttingen also threw light on the possibilities for India and Norway to further strengthen relations and complement each other in more ways; in particular health care, research and innovation as an effort to minimize the inequities so that health benefits are maximized.

Please tune in for more details!