India's WHIF Joins BRICS+ to Drive Global MedTech Innovation

Anticipating India's leadership role in BRICS starting 2026, World Health Innovation Forum’s (WHIF) invitation to the BRICS+ Manufacturing Working Group was afforded because of Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone’s (AMTZ) thought leadership in developing affordable, scalable healthcare solutions from the Global South, for the Global South.

As India prepares to take over the BRICS Presidency in 2026, WHIF membership signifies its contribution towards creating low-cost, imitable healthcare solutions of the Global South, for the Global South. Located at the world's largest concentration of medical device manufacturing, WHIF is renowned for programs such as iPassport, EntrepreNari, and the World Health Innovation Fellowship empowering 20+ countries' innovators.

Dr. Jitendra Sharma, MD and founder CEO of AMTZ, remarked, “This selection confirms India’s leadership in frugal innovation and system-ready technologies. WHIF’s model—developed at AMTZ—bridges global South needs with world-class healthtech capabilities. Partnering with WHO and Kalam Institute, which is a WHO Collaborating Centre is a game changer.”

Now a member of BRICS+, WHIF will drive cross-border R&D, open up India's state-of-the-art testing infrastructure, and facilitate localization of medtech ecosystems in partner nations—to position India as a world health innovation leader.

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Mohini Mehta called the selection “a landmark validation of India’s health innovation model.” She added, "Being part of BRICS+ is not just a recognition, but a responsibility to co-create sovereign, scalable health solutions for the world using ultra low-cost medical technologies.”