Extension of INSACOG Network to neighbour countries

February 17, 2022

Recently, India announced to extend its “SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network” to neighbour countries, to fight against Covid-19.

Key Facts

INSACOG is a network of laboratories for genomic sequencing and surveillance.
India will also work for the implementation of “TRIPS waiver”, that it co-sponsored with South Africa for diversifying its local manufacturing in regional markets.
As part of India’s development assistance package amid pandemic, it has conducted 17 training modules for around 60 countries focused on entire spectrum of COVID management.
India will take its experience in testing, treating and vaccinating a large population across different geographies and terrains, in order to create customized and tailor-made capacity building and technical training programmes for healthcare and front-line workers in Asia, Africa and Latin America. This move will complement the Quad Vaccine Partnership.

India’s vaccine supply

India has supplied more than 162 million vaccine doses across 97 countries and 2 UN organizations. It also includes humanitarian assistance to Myanmar and Afghanistan. India is also collaborating with Quad partners for the delivery of doses in Indo-Pacific region in 2022.

What is INSACOG?

INSACOG stands for “Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium” or “Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics”. This forum was set up on December 30, 2020, under the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It was set up to study and monitor genome sequencing and virus variation of covid-19 strains in India.

How does it work?

INSACOG works as a consortium of 38 national laboratories, located across India. It is involved in genome sequencing. All these 10 laboratories are mandated to share 5% of positive samples to INSACOG, in order to conduct further research and studies. Database of all samples of new variants are maintained by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) nodal unit. Furthermore, two national genomic sequencing database centres are appointed: