Just the medicine for universal health as Brics pools expertise for resilience

India hosted the 16th Brics health ministers’ meeting in Chandigarh from 22 to 24 July, focusing on the group’s declaration of traditional medicine and digital health cooperation. Picture: Gallo Images The adoption of the 16th Brics health ministers’ declaration, committing the bloc to deeper cooperation in health care, builds on an earlier pledge by member states to work collectively towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC). The declaration was endorsed by more than 70 representatives and partner organisations at the recent Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) health ministers’ gathering chaired by India in Chandigarh.

Delegates identified nine priority areas for cooperation, including mental health, tuberculosis (TB) control, pandemic preparedness, traditional medicine and the development of nuclear medicine. The agreement reinforces Brics’ commitment to UHC, one of the World Health Organisation’ key sustainable development goals, by expanding collaboration to strengthen health systems and improve access to quality health care. India’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda called for greater collective action, saying enhanced cooperation would strengthen public health systems, accelerate digital health care solutions and improve access to medical services across member states.

He noted India’s experience had shown resilient health systems and equitable health care access to be essential pillars of sustainable development. Cuba’s ambassador to India, Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera, welcomed the declaration, describing it as further evidence of Brics’ determination to deepen cooperation and improve the quality of health care services throughout the bloc. Although all Brics members share the vision of providing equitable, quality health care, while reducing the financial burden on poorer communities, few have fully achieved UHC.

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Among the original five Brics members, Brazil has made the greatest progress, providing free health care to all residents and visitors through its Unified Health System. Russia has a state-backed mandatory health insurance model built around an extensive public health care network, while China has achieved near-universal basic health coverage through government-supported insurance schemes. India has also made significant advances through sustained policy reforms, infrastructure investment and increased public health expenditure.

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