Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said, India is working towards a healthy and COVID-19 free neighbourhood. Addressing a Workshop on COVID-19 Management-Experience, Good Practices and Way Forward with nearly ten neighboring countries virtually, Mr Modi said all countries have learned from each other from best practices. Appreciating the spirit of collaboration as the major takeaway, the Prime Minister said India has achieved the lowest fatality rate globally.

Mr Modi said all countries should maintain collaborative spirit during the vaccination. Mr Modi suggested that there should be special visas for medical professionals and arrangement for special Air ambulance. Prime minister said, India's Ayushman Bharat can be a case study for all the regional countries for healthcare. He insisted that a regional platform may be created for studies on forecasting future pandemics.

He emphasised that the 21st century is Asia's century and it can not be achieved without greater integration of South Asia and Indian Ocean Island countries.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 recovery rate in the country has touched 97.32 per cent. The Health Ministry said, in the last 24 hours, 11 thousand 987 people were discharged after recovery. Till now, one crore six lakh 56 thousand 845 people have recovered from the COVID-19 infection.

In the last 24 hours, 12,881 new cases were reported. With this, the total number of cases have reached 1,09,50,201. The Ministry said, 101 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. So far, 94,22,228 beneficiaries have been vaccinated.