What happened

Senior officials of BRICS met in Chandigarh under India’s BRICS Health Ministerial Meeting chairship to negotiate the draft BRICS Health Ministers' Declaration. The meeting was opened by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, who said India wants BRICS cooperation to address global public health challenges through innovation, shared responsibility, and equitable access to healthcare.

India said the BRICS Health Track has nine priority areas. These include stronger health infrastructure, better preparedness for health emergencies, surveillance systems, laboratory networks, digital health, traditional medicine, regulatory frameworks, health workforce development, collaborative research and development, and affordable access to healthcare services, medicines, and medical products.

Background and earlier position

BRICS has increasingly used sectoral ministerial tracks to build cooperation among member states. In health, the focus has been on pandemic preparedness, access to medicines, health-system resilience, and knowledge sharing across large and diverse public health systems.

India also highlighted two flagship proposals under the BRICS health agenda: the BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle and the proposed BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence for Mental Health. India presented these as tools for preventive and promotive healthcare, specialised care, and deeper cooperation on emerging public health challenges.

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