Brics member states have committed to deeper healthcare collaboration after adopting the 16th Brics Health Ministers’ Declaration. The agreement builds on an earlier pledge to work collectively towards universal health coverage, or UHC.
More than 70 representatives and partner organisations endorsed the declaration during a recent Brics health ministers’ meeting in Chandigarh, India.
Delegates identified nine priority areas for cooperation. These include mental health, tuberculosis control, pandemic preparedness, traditional medicine and nuclear medicine development.
The declaration also supports closer collaboration in digital health, medical research and disease prevention. Together, these measures aim to strengthen national health systems. They are also intended to improve access to affordable and high-quality medical services.
Brics Health Cooperation Supports Stronger Health Systems
India’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, called for stronger collective action among Brics members. He said closer cooperation could improve public health systems and accelerate the adoption of digital healthcare solutions. It could also widen access to essential medical services. Nadda said India’s experience showed that resilient health systems and equitable access were central to sustainable development.
Cuba’s ambassador to India, Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera, also welcomed the declaration. He said it demonstrated the bloc’s determination to improve the quality of healthcare services across member states. However, progress towards universal health coverage remains uneven.
Brics countries share the goal of providing equitable care while reducing the financial burden on poorer households. Yet few member states have fully achieved that ambition.
Brazil Leads Progress Towards Universal Coverage
Among the original five Brics members, Brazil has made the strongest progress towards UHC. Its Unified Health System provides free healthcare to residents and visitors. The country has built a broad public network offering services from primary care to specialist treatment.
Russia operates a state-supported mandatory health insurance system. An extensive public healthcare network backs this. China has achieved near-universal basic coverage through government-supported insurance programmes. India has also expanded access through policy reforms, infrastructure investment and higher public health spending.
Programmes such as the National Rural Health Mission have strengthened primary healthcare. Government-funded insurance schemes also provide hospital treatment to economically disadvantaged citizens.
India highlighted these developments at the Chandigarh meeting. It showcased progress in healthcare delivery, medical education, research and innovation.
Its Ayushman Bharat programme is among the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance schemes. Eligible patients can access advanced treatment, including cardiac surgery, cancer care, neurosurgery and organ transplantation.
South Africa Faces NHI Implementation Barriers
South Africa is pursuing universal coverage through its National Health Insurance programme. However, implementation has faced several obstacles. These include funding pressures, staff shortages and inadequate health infrastructure.
Legal challenges have also been raised over the legislation. Parts of the private healthcare sector remain concerned about the future role of medical schemes. These barriers show that political commitments alone will not deliver universal healthcare.
Brics members will need sustained investment, stronger governance and better health workforce planning. Health expenditure also remains relatively modest in several member states, despite health reform featuring prominently on national policy agendas.
Cooperation Could Expand Access Across The Global South
The Brics declaration creates a platform for countries to share expertise, technology and research. Joint work on tuberculosis, mental health and pandemic preparedness could help governments respond more effectively to public health threats.
Cooperation in digital health may improve access in rural and underserved communities. It could also support better data collection and more efficient service delivery.
Traditional medicine and nuclear medicine are expected to become further areas of research and knowledge exchange. By pooling resources and expertise, Brics countries could build more accessible, affordable and resilient health systems.
The declaration provides a shared direction. Its success will now depend on whether member states translate their commitments into funded programmes and measurable health outcomes.
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