BRICS expands healthcare cooperation: member states agree on new joint projects

More than 70 representatives of the BRICS countries and their partners adopted a declaration following a visit to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, northern India. This was reported by ANI, a partner of TV BRICS.

The participants identified nine priority areas for cooperation in healthcare, including two initiatives proposed by India.

“The first is a mission for healthy lifestyles, focusing on addressing obesity and other non-communicable diseases. The second is the promotion of mental wellness. Under this initiative, it has been decided to establish a network of centres of excellence that will collaborate to promote mental well-being across the BRICS nations,” said Geetu Joshi, Economic Adviser at India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Other priorities include combating tuberculosis, strengthening global health security and pandemic preparedness, advancing digital health, promoting the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and enhancing cooperation in the regulation of medical products and devices. In addition, the BRICS countries agreed to promote traditional medicine, reduce the impact of social determinants on public health, and strengthen cooperation among their national public health institutes.

A separate area of cooperation will focus on the development of nuclear medicine, including the exchange of expertise, joint research and expanding access to advanced technologies.

Cuba’s Ambassador to India, Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera, stressed that the adopted declaration reflects the BRICS countries’ commitment to strengthening cooperation to improve the quality of healthcare services. He also noted that India and Cuba plan to expand joint work in telemedicine, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and the application of artificial intelligence technologies in healthcare.

India presented delegates with the results of implementing its national Ayushman Bharat programme for universal access to healthcare, under which patients receive advanced medical treatment, including neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, cancer treatment and organ transplantation.

India’s Ministry of Health stated that the delegation’s visit provided an opportunity to showcase the country’s achievements in specialised healthcare, medical education, scientific research and innovation, while also opening up new opportunities for international cooperation.

The meeting was held in line with the priorities of India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”