Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya yesterday addressed the BRICS Health Ministers Meeting 2023 on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva. The meeting brought together health ministers from BRICS member countries- Brazil, China, Russia, and South Africa.
Dr. Mandaviya extended his heartfelt congratulations to South Africa for prioritizing the agenda of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the theme of “Bridging the Gap on Sustainable Health on the Road to UHC 2023.”
Emphasising the significance of collaborative research in mitigating and responding effectively to global health crises, Dr. Mandaviya said, The pandemic has highlighted the need for increased collaboration and synergy in the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
He suggested that the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Center can play a vital role in providing equitable access to safe, efficacious, and affordable vaccines, alongside sustainable vaccine research and development.
Dr. Mandaviya shared India’s commitment to eliminating tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, five years ahead of the set target under Sustainable Development Goals. He said, India has implemented comprehensive initiatives focused not only on treatment but also on nutritional assistance through community support.
The Health Minister outlined three core agendas for the transformation of the global healthcare landscape: Healthcare Emergency Preparedness, Equitable access to Medical Countermeasures, and Digital Health.
He highlighted the need for a Global Medical Countermeasures Platform to ensure equitable access to safe, high-quality, cost-effective medical countermeasures.
Dr. Mandaviya also emphasized the promotion of equitable access to technological tools through an institutional framework for digital health solutions, particularly for low-and-middle-income countries.