India Chairs BRICS Health Meet, Pushes Preventive Care Agenda

India has taken an important step in global health collaboration by chairing the first BRICS Health Working Group (HWG) meeting for 2026. The meeting, held in New Delhi, brought together health officials and experts from member countries to discuss common healthcare challenges and opportunities.

As the BRICS Chair this year, India has set the tone with a clear focus on healthcare resilience, innovation in healthcare, cooperation, and sustainability. The idea is simple—build stronger healthcare systems that can serve people better and prepare for future challenges.

The meeting included representatives from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, and newer BRICS members such as Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Indonesia. Together, they discussed ways to improve healthcare access, manage both infectious and non-communicable diseases, and ensure medicines remain affordable.

One of the key highlights was India’s push to include two new focus areas—healthy lifestyle promotion and mental health awareness. With lifestyle-related diseases and mental health issues rising globally, these priorities aim to promote prevention and overall well-being, not just treatment. Member countries welcomed these suggestions, showing a shared concern for these growing issues.

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At the same time, ongoing initiatives like tuberculosis research and the use of traditional medicine remain important parts of the BRICS health agenda. The group also explored how digital health solutions can improve services, along with the need for better systems to detect and respond to disease outbreaks early.

Another major area of discussion was strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing and local production of medicines and vaccines. This is seen as a key step in making healthcare more accessible and reducing dependency on external sources during emergencies.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of universal health coverage—ensuring that everyone, regardless of location or income, can access quality healthcare.

India’s leadership in this meeting reflects its increasing role in shaping global health discussions. By encouraging practical solutions and stronger cooperation, the country is working towards healthcare systems that are more inclusive, reliable, and ready for the future.