India Leads BRICS Health Dialogue in Chandigarh Amid Rising Health Challenges

As the world grapples with new health crises, India will host the BRICS Health Ministers’ dialogue in Chandigarh from July 21 to 24, 2026. The gathering brings together health leaders from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.

The Ministry of Health’s social‑media brief stated that the dialogue will aim to deepen cooperation, promote innovative health solutions and craft a joint strategy for resilient and sustainable health infrastructure across the BRICS bloc.

The 2026 Indian chairmanship spotlights the theme “Resilience, Innovation, Collaboration and Sustainability,” a continuation of the people‑first vision articulated at the 2025 Rio summit.

Central Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastav will open the meeting, stressing the Health Working Group’s pivotal role in tackling infectious and non‑communicable diseases, reinforcing health systems and expanding affordable drug access.

This conference builds on the inaugural BRICS Health Working Group meeting held in New Delhi on April 15, 2026, where senior officials outlined priority collaboration areas. The Chandigarh summit is expected to translate those priorities into actionable policies, leveraging mutual learning and collective expertise to design impactful health interventions.