On October 10-11, Moscow served as the host city for the 14th Meeting of BRICS Health Ministers, held under the Russian BRICS Chairmanship. This pivotal event brought together health leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to address pressing global health challenges, with an emphasis on cooperative efforts to enhance healthcare systems across the BRICS nations.

During the meeting, which culminated in the adoption of a formal declaration, the ministers discussed a range of critical health issues, including the evolving threats to national healthcare systems, and identified new areas for collaboration. Among the key topics were the development of nuclear medicine, strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance, advancements in public health, and the potential establishment of significant BRICS healthcare bodies such as the BRICS Medical Journal and the BRICS Medical Association.

The heads of the delegations had the opportunity to explore Russia’s advanced healthcare institutions during their visit, including the renowned Sechenov University, which showcased the country’s cutting-edge healthcare solutions and medical education programmes.

The Indian delegation was led by Mrs. Latha Ganapathy, Joint Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India. India’s active involvement highlighted its commitment to strengthening multilateral healthcare initiatives and expanding its contributions to BRICS-wide health projects.
This year’s meeting underscored the collective commitment of the BRICS nations to fortify healthcare systems and tackle emerging global health threats through shared knowledge, resources, and innovation. The discussions and agreements made at this forum are expected to enhance not only regional health policies but also contribute to global public health improvement.