BRICS Members Pool Expertise for Universal Health Coverage: Report

Source: Lokmat Times | Original Published At: 2026-08-08 10:12:12 UTC

Key Points

• The 16th BRICS health ministers’ declaration, chaired by India in Chandigarh, committed members to deeper cooperation in healthcare and pooled expertise toward universal health coverage.
• Delegates from more than 70 representatives and partner organisations endorsed nine priority areas, including mental health, tuberculosis control, pandemic preparedness, traditional medicine and nuclear medicine.
• India’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Jagat Prakash Nadda, said enhanced cooperation would strengthen public health systems, accelerate digital healthcare solutions and improve access to medical services across member states.
• The report highlighted Brazil’s Unified Health System, Russia’s state-backed mandatory health insurance model, China’s near-universal basic health coverage and India’s Ayushman Bharat scheme.
• India’s National Rural Health Mission and government-funded insurance schemes were cited as measures strengthening primary healthcare and supporting economically disadvantaged citizens.