BRICS may create Partnership for Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases

The Health ministers of the BRICS countries met in Brasilia and approved a final declaration with recommendations for the creation of a BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases. The document will be made official during the BRICS Summit, scheduled for 6 and 7 July in Rio de Janeiro. This is reported by the official website of the Brazil's Chairmanship in BRICS.

According to Brazilian Health Minister Alexandre Padilha, the text of the declaration was structured around three priority areas, the first of which is addressing the social causes of disease.

"The first is addressing the social determinants of health, which resulted in the main initiative of the Brazilian presidency of BRICS: the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases," explained Padilha.

The second pillar deals with overcoming cultural inequalities in access to health, with a special focus on remote institutions and innovative solutions. The third addresses the strengthening of science, technology and productive capacity in health. On this last point, the consolidation of the BRICS Vaccine Production and Development Centre was highlighted.

The ministers stressed that the engagement of heads of state will be essential to accelerate the achievement of health equity in the world. To ensure the advancement of the proposals, the Health Ministers of the BRICS countries will meet annually to monitor progress and deepen cooperation.

Photo: Marina Pontes / BRICS Brazil