India has taken a leadership role in global health collaboration by hosting the first Health Working Group (HWG) meeting under the BRICS framework for 2026. Organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the virtual meeting brought together senior health officials and representatives from nine member countries to discuss key public health priorities, including tuberculosis research, digital health systems, and mental wellness.
The meeting was chaired by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava and saw participation from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. This reflects the expanded footprint of BRICS, which now spans multiple continents and represents a significant share of the global population.
As the BRICS Chair for 2026, India has framed its leadership around the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” This guiding principle draws from the people-centric development approach highlighted by Narendra Modi during the 2025 Rio Summit.
The theme underscores India’s commitment to strengthening global health systems through inclusive, evidence-based strategies that can be adapted across countries with diverse healthcare challenges.
During the meeting, Srivastava highlighted that BRICS nations have made steady progress in addressing critical health issues through collaborative efforts. These include tackling communicable and non-communicable diseases, improving healthcare infrastructure, and ensuring access to affordable medicines.
The Health Working Group has emerged as a vital platform for sharing knowledge, aligning regulatory practices, and promoting joint research initiatives.
One of the key proposals introduced by India is the creation of a BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles. This initiative aims to address rising health risks associated with modern living, such as:
The mission is designed to encourage preventive healthcare and promote behavioural changes that can reduce the burden of chronic diseases.
The second major proposal focuses on the Promotion of Mental Health and Wellness. This initiative seeks to:
Both proposals received strong support from participating countries, indicating a shared recognition of the growing importance of holistic health approaches.
Countries including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia expressed clear backing for India’s proposed priorities. Additionally, member nations supported the integration of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine into national healthcare systems.
This reflects a growing global trend toward combining modern medical practices with traditional knowledge systems to achieve better health outcomes.
The BRICS Health Working Group outlined nine major priority areas for 2026, covering a wide spectrum of healthcare challenges:
According to the government, the agenda reflects a comprehensive approach that combines advanced scientific research with attention to social and environmental determinants of health. This ensures that healthcare strategies remain inclusive and sustainable.
Across discussions, member countries emphasised common goals such as:
These priorities align with global health objectives, including those outlined by the World Health Organization.
The meeting identified specific areas requiring urgent attention, including:
These initiatives are expected to deliver tangible outcomes in the near term and enhance global readiness for future health crises.
India’s leadership of the BRICS Health Working Group in 2026 highlights its growing role in shaping global health policy. By prioritising lifestyle changes and mental health alongside traditional public health challenges, India is advocating for a more holistic and forward-looking approach to healthcare. With strong support from member nations and a clear roadmap of priorities, the BRICS platform is set to play a crucial role in addressing both existing and emerging health challenges worldwide.