16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meet in Chandigarh: TB, Digital Health Focus
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
India is hosting the 16th BRICS health ministers' meeting in Chandigarh from July 22-24, 2026. The meet focuses on nine priority areas including TB, infectious diseases, and digital health, with 11 member nations participating.
Background
BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies. The health ministers' meeting is an annual event to coordinate health policies. The 2025 BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro identified the nine priority areas.
Key facts
The 16th BRICS health ministers' meeting is being held in Chandigarh, India, from July 22 to 24, 2026.
The theme is 'Building for resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability'.
11 member nations are participating: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
These 11 countries account for nearly half of the world's population and around 40% of global GDP.
Nine priority areas include collaborative research on TB, prevention of mass infectious diseases, digital health, mental well-being, pandemic preparedness, non-communicable diseases, access to affordable medicines, and universal health coverage.
The meeting is chaired by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava and AYUSH Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Katoch were present at the briefing.
Prelims pointers
- BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia
- 16th BRICS health ministers' meeting
- Chandigarh, India
- July 22-24, 2026
- Theme: Building for resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability
- Union Health Minister: Jagat Prakash Nadda
- Union Health Secretary: Punya Salila Srivastava
- AYUSH Secretary: Vaidya Rajesh Katoch
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of BRICS in global health governance and pandemic preparedness.
- Critically examine India's leadership in BRICS health cooperation and its impact on public health outcomes.
- Analyze the significance of digital health and TB research collaboration among BRICS nations.