16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting adopts declaration to strengthen global health cooperation

The 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Chandigarh under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, bringing together Health Ministers, Heads of Delegation, senior officials and public health experts from BRICS member countries to strengthen cooperation on shared public health priorities and advance global health collaboration.

Held under India’s BRICS Chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” the meeting provided a platform for member countries to discuss health challenges and reaffirm their commitment to strengthening health systems, promoting innovation, enhancing pandemic preparedness and advancing Universal Health Coverage through continued cooperation.

Addressing the meeting virtually, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda welcomed Health Ministers, Heads of Delegation and senior officials from BRICS member and partner countries to Chandigarh and thanked them for their engagement during India’s BRICS Chairship. He said the participation of member countries reflected the role of BRICS in advancing cooperation among the Global South.

Shri Nadda said, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has undertaken transformative reforms to strengthen its healthcare system through people-centric policies, expanded healthcare access, digital public infrastructure and enhanced service delivery.” He added that India’s experience had reinforced the importance of resilient public health systems and equitable healthcare for sustainable development.

Highlighting the evolution of BRICS over the past two decades, the Union Health Minister said the grouping has emerged as a platform for the Global South. He noted that infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, climate-related health risks and technological advances require multilateral cooperation and institutional partnerships. Referring to India’s BRICS Chairship theme, he said the future of global health depends on resilient health systems capable of responding to emerging public health challenges.

Quoting the Indian ethos, “सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः॥”, Shri Nadda said the purpose of public health is to prevent disease and promote well-being. He also highlighted that BRICS countries account for nearly half of the global tuberculosis burden and emphasised the need to strengthen the BRICS TB Research Network to support collaborative research, innovation and equitable access to diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.

The Minister also highlighted collaboration among BRICS Medical Products Regulatory Authorities and welcomed the release of the BRICS GxP White Paper. He welcomed the establishment of the Sub-Working Group on the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for Prevention and Response to Mass Infectious Diseases and the adoption of its Terms of Reference. He also referred to India’s experience with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and the eSanjeevani telemedicine platform, stating that Digital Public Infrastructure has expanded access to healthcare, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Shri Nadda welcomed the release of the BRICS Compendium on Digital Health Architecture for Continuum of Care including Access to Healthcare in Remote Areas and the launch of the BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle along with the BRICS Roadmap for Joint Initiative on Healthy Lifestyle Promotion (2026–2029). He also announced the establishment of the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Mental Wellness, to be coordinated by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), and highlighted the adoption of the Operational Framework to Fight against Diseases Driven by Social Determinants of Health (DD-SDH) and the Operational Framework for the BRICS Network of National Public Health Institutes. He also referred to cooperation in BRICS Nuclear Medicine and continued support for the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre.

Concluding his address, Nadda described the 16th BRICS Health Ministerial Declaration as more than a consensus document and said it establishes institutional mechanisms for collaboration among BRICS countries. Invoking the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “The World is One Family,” he called on BRICS nations to continue working together to build a healthier future.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Ayush (Independent Charge) Shri Prataprao Jadhav and Union Minister of State Smt Anupriya Patel also participated in the meeting.

The ministerial deliberations focused on the nine priority areas identified under India’s BRICS Chairship. Member countries reaffirmed support for the BRICS TB Research Network, collaboration among Medical Products Regulatory Authorities, the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for Prevention and Response to Mass Infectious Diseases, Digital Health Architecture for Continuum of Care, the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Mental Wellness, cooperation in Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), the Operational Framework to Fight Diseases Driven by Social Determinants of Health, the BRICS Network of National Public Health Institutes, cooperation in Nuclear Medicine and the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre. Delegates also visited exhibition pavilions of FSSAI, the National Health Authority and the Ministry of AYUSH.

A key outcome of the meeting was the unanimous adoption of the 16th BRICS Health Ministerial Declaration. The declaration reaffirmed the commitment of member countries to advancing Universal Health Coverage, strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, promoting digital health, enhancing regulatory cooperation, expanding collaborative research, addressing communicable and non-communicable diseases, promoting mental health and healthy lifestyles, strengthening traditional medicine, and ensuring equitable access to medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and medical technologies.

During the meeting, Health Ministers and Heads of Delegation from BRICS member countries presented national statements outlining their public health priorities, achievements and policy initiatives. Member countries also welcomed India’s leadership under the BRICS Health Track and expressed support for the nine priority areas identified during its Chairship, including the BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle, the Network of Centres of Excellence on Mental Wellness, the Network of National Public Health Institutes and initiatives addressing Diseases Driven by Social Determinants of Health.