The 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting concluded successfully today 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 in addressing shared public health priorities and advancing a resilient global health architecture.

Convened under India's BRICS Chairship theme, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," the Meeting provided a platform for member countries to deliberate on key health challenges and reaffirm their collective commitment towards strengthening health systems, promoting innovation, enhancing pandemic preparedness and advancing Universal Health Coverage through sustained cooperation.

Keynote Address

Addressing the 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting virtually, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, welcomed the Health Ministers, Heads of Delegation and senior officials from BRICS member and partner countries to Chandigarh and thanked them for their continued engagement throughout India's BRICS Chairship. He noted that the active participation of member countries reflects the enduring strength of BRICS as a platform for advancing cooperation among the Global South.

The Union Health Minister stated that, ‘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 observed that India's experience has reinforced the belief that resilient public health systems and equitable healthcare are essential for sustainable development across nations.

Highlighting the evolution of BRICS over the past two decades, Shri Nadda noted that the grouping has emerged as a defining voice of the Global South and an increasingly influential platform in shaping a more inclusive and equitable global order. He observed that infectious diseases, the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, climate-related health risks and rapid technological advancements require deeper multilateral cooperation and stronger institutional partnerships.

Referring to India's BRICS Chairship theme, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," the Minister emphasized that the future of global health depends on building resilient health systems capable of anticipating and responding effectively to emerging public health challenges.

Quoting the timeless Indian ethos, "सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः॥", Shri Nadda said that the highest purpose of public health is not merely to treat illness but to prevent disease and promote overall well-being.

Presenting India's health priorities under its BRICS Chairship, Shri Nadda highlighted that BRICS countries collectively account for nearly half of the global tuberculosis burden and emphasized that continued strengthening of the BRICS TB Research Network would accelerate collaborative research, innovation, operational research and equitable access to new diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, thereby contributing significantly to global TB elimination efforts.

He also underlined the importance of strengthening collaboration among BRICS Medical Products Regulatory Authorities and welcomed the release of the BRICS GxP White Paper, describing it as an important step towards enhancing regulatory excellence, harmonisation, capacity building and ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of medical products. Stressing the importance of preparedness against future health emergencies, the Minister 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 as a significant milestone towards reinforcing regional and global health security.

Highlighting the transformative role of digital technologies in healthcare, Shri Nadda noted that India's experience through the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and the E-Sanjeevani telemedicine platform has demonstrated the immense potential of Digital Public Infrastructure to democratize healthcare delivery and improve access, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

He also welcomed the release of the BRICS Compendium on Digital Health Architecture for Continuum of Care including Access to Healthcare in Remote Areas, describing it as a valuable knowledge resource for facilitating cooperation, exchange of best practices and mutual learning among BRICS countries. The Minister further noted that the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases and non-communicable diseases calls for greater emphasis on preventive healthcare and welcomed the launch of the BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle along with the BRICS Roadmap for Joint Initiative on Healthy Lifestyle Promotion (2026–2029), which seeks to promote healthy diets, regular physical activity, preservation of traditional food cultures and evidence-based behavioural change across BRICS nations.

Recognising mental health as an essential pillar of Universal Health Coverage, Shri Nadda announced the establishment of the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Mental Wellness, to be coordinated by NIMHANS, as a major institutional initiative to strengthen research, promote mental well-being and narrow treatment gaps across member countries. He also 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, which will provide a durable institutional framework for scientific collaboration, public health intelligence and multisectoral action to advance health equity. The Minister further noted the deliberations on cooperation in BRICS Nuclear Medicine and continued support for the activities of the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre to strengthen collaborative research and improve equitable access to essential medical products.

Expressing appreciation to all member countries for sharing best practices across the identified priority areas, Shri Nadda welcomed the release of a series of BRICS Compendiums on Digital Health Architecture, Healthy Lifestyle, Mental Wellness, Diseases Driven by Social Determinants of Health and National Public Health Institutes. He expressed confidence that these knowledge resources would facilitate cross-country learning and support scalable public health interventions across BRICS member states.

Concluding his address, the Union Health Minister described the 16th BRICS Health Ministerial Declaration as much more than a consensus document, stating that it establishes enduring institutional mechanisms that will deepen collaboration among BRICS countries in the years ahead. He reaffirmed India's vision of an inclusive, collaborative and equitable global health architecture that reflects the aspirations of the Global South and serves the well-being of all humanity.

Invoking the ancient Indian philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" — "The World is One Family," Shri Nadda called upon BRICS nations to continue working together in the spirit of solidarity, partnership and shared responsibility to build a healthier future for all.

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

Proceedings of the day

The Ministerial deliberations were centred around the Nine priority areas identified under India's BRICS Chairship, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening health systems and addressing emerging public health challenges through cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Member countries reaffirmed their support for the BRICS TB Research Network to foster collaborative research, innovation and knowledge sharing aimed at accelerating progress towards tuberculosis elimination.

Discussions also focused on enhancing collaboration among BRICS Medical Products Regulatory Authorities to facilitate regulatory convergence, strengthen regulatory systems and improve access to safe, effective and quality-assured medical products.

Recognising the growing importance of global health security, the Ministers also supported the establishment of a dedicated Sub-Working Group on the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for Prevention and Response to Mass Infectious Diseases and endorsed its Terms of Reference to strengthen collaboration, disease surveillance, information sharing and coordinated public health preparedness and rapid response across BRICS countries.

Delegations also discussed opportunities to strengthen Digital Health Architecture for Continuum of Care, enabling interoperable digital health ecosystems and expanding quality healthcare services to remote and underserved populations through digital public infrastructure.

Recognising mental health as an integral component of Universal Health Coverage, the Ministers supported the establishment of the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) on Mental Wellness, with NIMHANS, India, serving as the coordinating Centre of Excellence. Member countries also endorsed the creation of a BRICS Training Hub Network to strengthen workforce capacity through training, knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices. The Network will facilitate collaborative research, policy dialogue and the development of evidence-based mental health promotion strategies across BRICS countries.

The Meeting also reaffirmed the importance of promoting Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) through evidence generation, collaborative research and knowledge exchange. Member countries welcomed the proposed establishment of the BRICS Expert Working Group on TCIM under the BRICS Health Track and endorsed its Terms of Reference, recognising it as an important platform for dialogue, collaboration and sharing of best practices among BRICS countries

The Ministers also endorsed the BRICS Operational Framework to Fight Diseases Driven by Social Determinants of Health (DD-SDH) as a collaborative platform to strengthen collective action towards health equity, Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals, in accordance with national contexts. They further endorsed the Operational Framework for the BRICS Network of National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) to advance institutional collaboration through knowledge exchange, evidence-based policymaking, capacity building and technical cooperation, guided by the principles of mutual respect, inclusivity, cooperation and sustainability.

The Delegations also welcomed continued cooperation in BRICS Nuclear Medicine and reaffirmed support for the BRICS Vaccine R&D Centre to strengthen collaborative research and improve equitable access to safe and effective vaccines.

Health Ministers and delegates also visited the FSSAI, NHA and Ministry of AYUSH exhibition pavilions, including the FSSAI live millet session under the Eat Right India initiative, showcasing India's initiatives in digital health, traditional medicine, food safety and healthy lifestyles.

Adoption of the BRICS Health Ministers’ Declaration

A major outcome of the Meeting was the unanimous adoption of the 16th BRICS Health Ministerial Declaration, reflecting the shared commitment of BRICS countries to deepen health cooperation and strengthen resilient, equitable and people-centric health systems.

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, combating communicable and non-communicable diseases, promoting mental health and healthy lifestyles, strengthening traditional medicine, and ensuring equitable access to affordable medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and medical technologies.

National Statements and Sharing of Best Practices

During the Meeting, Health Ministers and Heads of Delegation from BRICS member countries delivered national statements highlighting their respective public health priorities, achievements and policy initiatives. Member countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening resilient health systems, advancing Universal Health Coverage, enhancing pandemic preparedness and response, promoting digital health, expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare, and deepening cooperation in research, innovation and capacity building. Several delegations also highlighted their national efforts in combating communicable and non-communicable diseases, strengthening primary healthcare, improving pharmaceutical regulation and promoting traditional systems of medicine.

Member countries welcomed India's leadership in advancing the BRICS Health Track and appreciated the focus on the nine priority areas identified under its Chairship. Delegations expressed support for strengthening the BRICS TB Research Network, enhancing cooperation among Medical Products Regulatory Authorities, operationalising the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for Prevention and Response to Mass Infectious Diseases, promoting Digital Health Architecture for Continuum of Care, and institutionalising collaboration through 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. They also appreciated the release of the various BRICS compendiums and operational frameworks as important knowledge resources for advancing cooperation.

The successful conclusion of the 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting, mark another important milestone in advancing collective action among BRICS countries towards improving global health outcomes through partnership, innovation, resilience and sustainable development.

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