Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said that India's G20 Presidency has provided a distinctive platform to amplify the concerns of the Global South. Addressing the BRICS Health Ministers Meeting virtually, Dr Mandaviya said that this positioning would underscore and highlight the challenges faced by the Global South and offer a valuable opportunity to address issues at the highest level of global governance. The meeting was held in Durban, South Africa.
 
Dr Mandaviya complimented South Africa’s initiatives for prioritizing the agenda of Universal Health Coverage. He emphasized that South Africa’s BRICS initiative is aligned with India’s G20 priorities including health emergency management, medical countermeasures and Digital Health innovations. These priorities will aid Universal Health Coverage and improve healthcare service delivery.
 
In the meeting, Dr Mandaviya said that India supported South Africa’s initiative to strengthen cooperation in the field of Integrated Early Warning systems as it will enhance preparedness for future health crises. He noted that the collaboration would play a pivotal role in designing effective interventions to contain cross-border spread of infection while minimizing the impact on the social and economic conditions of BRICS countries.
 
Dr Mandaviya also welcomed Russia’s initiative for BRICS Collaboration in Nuclear Medicine and expressed his support to constituting an International Expert Forum on Nuclear Medicines.  He stated that collaboration in this arena would not only encourage knowledge sharing but also enhance technological advancements in BRICS nations.
 
Dr Mandaviya also reiterated India’s ongoing commitment to the BRICS Tuberculosis Research Network Initiative, acknowledging the progress since its launch. He expressed that the initiative will strengthen Government of India's efforts in ending TB by 2030.