India Pushes Digital Health Cooperation at BRICS 2026 as NHA-Led Talks Focus on Remote Care Access

The exchanges are expected to contribute to a BRICS Compendium on Digital Health Architecture for Continuum of Care, envisioned as a shared knowledge resource for member nations.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has advanced discussions on cross-border digital health collaboration under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, with BRICS nations presenting their healthcare technology models and strategies to strengthen the continuum of care, particularly for remote and underserved populations.

India has convened the second technical meeting under Priority 4 of the BRICS Health Track 2026, titled “Digital Health Architecture for Continuum of Care, including access to healthcare in remote areas,” chaired by Dr Sunil Kumar Barnwal, CEO of the National Health Authority.

The meeting follows the First BRICS Health Working Group Meeting 2026, hosted earlier in New Delhi by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

During that meeting, India introduced the overarching theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” positioning health technology, preventive healthcare, and resilient public health systems as key priorities under its BRICS leadership.

At the latest digital health discussions, member countries presented initiatives related to referrals, interoperability, telemedicine platforms, longitudinal health records, and digital tools designed to improve healthcare access in geographically difficult and medically underserved regions.

The exchanges are expected to contribute to a BRICS Compendium on Digital Health Architecture for Continuum of Care, envisioned as a shared knowledge resource for member nations.

Alongside digital health, BRICS health discussions this year have also expanded into preventive and holistic healthcare.

During the First BRICS Health Working Group Meeting 2026 in New Delhi, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava proposed two additional priorities under India’s chairship: the BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles and the Promotion of Mental Health and Wellness.

Existing priorities, including the BRICS TB Research Network, evidence-based traditional medicine, infectious disease preparedness, and regulatory cooperation on medicines and vaccines, continue to remain part of the health agenda.

The broader BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi also highlighted the growing expectation for BRICS to play a stabilising role amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said BRICS countries could support nations facing challenges related to “energy supplies, food and health security.”

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