The Fourth BRICS Health Ministers Meeting was held on December 5, 2014, in Brasilia, Brazil. It was part of a series of meetings from December 2-5, which included preparatory sessions and expert discussions.

Participants

Health Ministers and high-level representatives from all five BRICS countries attended the meeting. Additionally, technical experts and advisors from each country were present to provide support and input on specific health issues.

Key Discussions and Outcomes

1. Universal Health Coverage

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to achieving universal health coverage in their respective countries. They discussed strategies for expanding access to healthcare services and reducing out-of-pocket expenses for citizens.

2. Tuberculosis Cooperation

A significant focus of the meeting was on tuberculosis (TB) control:

• The ministers approved a comprehensive cooperation plan to combat TB.
• They discussed the challenges of drug-resistant TB and the need for new diagnostics and treatments.
• The plan included provisions for technology transfer and capacity building among BRICS countries.

3. HIV/AIDS

The ministers set ambitious targets for HIV/AIDS control:

• They adopted the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target for 2020.
• Discussions included strategies for prevention, testing, and treatment access.
• The link between HIV and TB was acknowledged, with plans for integrated approaches to both diseases.

4. Ebola Response

Given the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa at the time:

• The ministers discussed their countries’ contributions to the global Ebola response.
• They committed to sharing information and best practices for preparedness and response.
• The need for strengthening health systems to prevent future outbreaks was emphasized.

5. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Recognizing the growing burden of NCDs in their countries:

• The ministers discussed strategies for prevention and control of diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
• They emphasized the importance of addressing risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity.

6. Traditional Medicine

Given the rich heritage of traditional medicine in BRICS countries:

• The ministers explored ways to integrate traditional medicine into their health systems.
• They discussed the potential for collaborative research on traditional remedies.

7. Health Technology and Innovation

The meeting highlighted the importance of health technology:

• Discussions included ways to promote innovation in medical technologies and pharmaceuticals.
• The ministers explored possibilities for joint research and development initiatives.

Outcomes and Future Plans

1. The ministers signed a joint declaration outlining their commitments and plans for cooperation in the health sector.
2. They agreed to establish working groups on specific health issues to facilitate ongoing collaboration between meetings.
3. The next BRICS Health Ministers Meeting was scheduled to be held in Russia in 2015, aligning with Russia’s BRICS presidency for that year.

This expanded information provides a more comprehensive view of the discussions, commitments, and outcomes of the 2014 BRICS Health Ministers Meeting, highlighting the group’s efforts to address major global health challenges collaboratively.