16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting 2026

Why in News?

India hosted the 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh from 22 to 24 July 2026, under its BRICS Chairship 2026. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J. P. Nadda chaired the ministerial meeting on 23 July. Health ministers, senior officials and technical experts from the 11 BRICS member countries participated. The meeting focused on strengthening international cooperation for resilient, accessible and technology-driven healthcare systems.

16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting: Key Outcomes

The theme of the meeting was “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The member countries unanimously adopted the 16th BRICS Health Ministerial Declaration. Major areas of cooperation included:

• Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
• Pandemic preparedness and health security
• Equitable access to medicines and quality healthcare
• Digital health and health data systems
• Collaborative research on Tuberculosis (TB)
• Prevention and response to mass infectious diseases
• Mental health and well-being

BRICS Network for Mental Wellness

India proposed the creation of a BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Mental Wellness. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, was named as the coordinating institution for the initiative. NIMHANS is an Institute of National Importance specialising in mental health and neurosciences.

Cooperation on Traditional Medicine

BRICS countries also approved a Working Group on Traditional Medicine to strengthen cooperation in traditional and indigenous healthcare systems. These include systems such as:

• Ayurveda
• Unani
• Siddha
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Other indigenous medical systems

BRICS: Members and Expansion

BRICS emerged as a grouping of major emerging economies. South Africa joined the original BRIC grouping in 2010, creating BRICS. The grouping has subsequently expanded and now includes 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. BRICS cooperation extends across health, economy, finance, trade, science, technology and sustainable development.

Important Facts for Exams

• Event: 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting.
• Venue: Chandigarh, India.
• Dates: 22–24 July 2026.
• Chair: Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda.
• BRICS Chairship 2026: India.
• BRICS full members: 11.
• Mental Wellness Network coordinator: NIMHANS, Bengaluru.
• NIMHANS: National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences.
• UHC: Access to essential quality health services without financial hardship.
• Digital health includes telemedicine, electronic health records and digital health information systems.
• A BRICS Working Group on Traditional Medicine was approved.