India to host BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh

India is set to host a three-day BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh starting today. The event will gather Health Ministers and senior health representatives from BRICS nations to strengthen collaboration on health security, digital health, pandemic readiness, and ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare.

According to Akashvani’s correspondent, the 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting highlights India’s dedication to promoting joint action on major global health priorities under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” Speaking at a press conference, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava stated that ministerial discussions will center on enhancing cooperation in key areas including health security, pandemic preparedness, digital health, innovation, affordable medicines, traditional and integrative medicine, tuberculosis, healthy living, mental health, and resilient healthcare systems.

The official agenda will begin with the Senior Officials’ Meeting today, followed by the Sixteenth BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting tomorrow. The latter will be chaired by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda, where ministers will review significant global and regional public health issues and consider adopting the Sixteenth BRICS Health Ministers’ Declaration. The gathering will serve as a vital platform to advance the health agenda of the Global South and encourage collective efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and health-related Sustainable Development Goals.