Recognizing the rather unique position of BRICS to influence health at global level, the June 2014 issue of WHO Bulletin is devoted to the theme of “BRICS and Global Health”. This special edition – a joint initiative of WHO Representatives in BRICS countries - was released on 23 June 2014 in New Delhi amidst strong presence of participants from BRICS countries.
Present at the launch of the WHO Bulletin were WHO Representatives from Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa. In addition, senior officials from BRICS countries, experts from health and development institutes and academia from overseas and India were a part of the event.
In conjunction with this launch, WHO Country Office for India in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India organized a high level policy seminar on 24 June 2014 on the theme of “BRICS and global health”.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr Nata Menabde, WHO Representative to India said, “The objectives of this seminar were to address key health issues faced by BRICS countries and to understand their current and future role in global health.”
“It is well understood that proper implementation of policies and timely delivery of concrete results can help in uplifting the health and wellbeing of millions of citizens in the BRICS countries. This will significantly contribute to the improvement of global health indicators. The policy seminar provided a unique opportunity to deliberate on these issues,” she added.
This meeting also reflected on the outcome of the BRICS countries’ side meeting at the 67th World Health Assembly in May 2014 and contributed to the next BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting, which will take place in Brazil later in the year.
The WHO Bulletin is ranked within the top 10 public and environmental health journals. It is peer-reviewed on a monthly basis and has a special focus on the developing countries.
Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa (the countries known as the “BRICS”) involve nearly 40% of the world’s population. After having achieved remarkable economic growth over the last two decades, they have taken important steps towards improving their health systems and the health of their citizens.