BRICS Health Ministers Convene in Chandigarh to Advance Global Health Collaboration

India is hosting the 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh from July 22 to 24 under its 2026 Chairship of the grouping. The gathering brings together health leaders from member nations to discuss practical ways of strengthening cooperation on shared health challenges and improving well-being across BRICS countries.

File Photo of BRICS meeting. | Hindustan Times

Participating Countries and Broader Significance

The meeting involves 11 BRICS member nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. These countries collectively represent nearly half the world’s population and around 40 percent of global GDP, giving the platform considerable weight in shaping international health priorities. Additional partner countries are also participating in side events, expanding the total engagement to around 21 nations.

Theme and Key Priority Areas

The event is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” This framework emphasises a people-centric approach to developing strong and adaptable health systems. Nine priority areas form the core of the discussions, including collaborative research on tuberculosis through a dedicated BRICS TB Research Network, prevention and response to mass infectious diseases via integrated early warning systems, and the development of digital health architecture to ensure continuum of care, especially in remote regions.

Other important topics include access to affordable medicines, regulatory harmonisation for medical products, promotion of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, healthy lifestyles, mental wellness, pandemic preparedness, and efforts towards universal health coverage. For the first time, mental wellness and a mission for healthy lifestyles have been highlighted as dedicated priorities, focusing on preventive measures and reducing associated risks.

Statements from Indian Officials

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava noted that the meeting aims to foster strategic partnerships and turn identified priorities into concrete initiatives. She emphasised the focus on both communicable and non-communicable diseases, digital health solutions, collaborative TB research and traditional systems of medicine. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary in the Ministry of AYUSH, was also present during the preparatory briefings.

The discussions are expected to build on earlier technical meetings held under India’s Chairship, including working group sessions in New Delhi that helped finalise the agenda and roadmap for cooperation.

Side Events and Showcasing Indian Initiatives

In parallel with the main sessions, India is presenting its advancements in digital health, artificial intelligence applications in healthcare, food safety initiatives and AYUSH practices. Delegates have participated in yoga sessions, with officials underlining yoga’s role in preventing lifestyle-related diseases. An exhibition highlights initiatives such as the Eat Right India campaign and various traditional wellness approaches.

Cultural programmes featuring the rich folk traditions of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are being organised to welcome the international guests, reflecting India’s spirit of hospitality.

The MGMM Outlook 

The 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh highlights India’s growing role in shaping international cooperation on healthcare. By bringing together major emerging economies to address challenges such as tuberculosis, pandemic preparedness, digital health, affordable medicines and mental wellness, the meeting reflects a shared commitment to building stronger and more resilient health systems. India’s emphasis on innovation, research collaboration and technology-driven healthcare demonstrates how collective action can help tackle both existing and future public health challenges.

The event also provides an opportunity for India to showcase its achievements in digital health, artificial intelligence, AYUSH, yoga and food safety, while promoting a balanced approach that combines modern medicine with preventive healthcare. As BRICS nations deepen collaboration across these priority areas, such partnerships have the potential to strengthen global health security, improve healthcare accessibility and encourage sustainable solutions that benefit millions of people across the developing world.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, News on Air)