The meeting was held on May 20, 2014, in Geneva, Switzerland. It was strategically timed to coincide with the 67th World Health Assembly, allowing for broader engagement with global health leaders.

Participants

• Health Ministers or their representatives from all five BRICS countries
• Senior health officials and experts from each nation
• Possibly observers from international health organizations like WHO

Key Agenda Items

While the exact agenda is not publicly available, based on previous and subsequent BRICS health meetings, the following topics were likely discussed:

1. Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
2. Strengthening health systems and surveillance
3. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention and control
4. Infectious disease management, including HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
5. Access to medicines and intellectual property rights
6. Health technology cooperation and innovation
7. Traditional medicine integration into healthcare systems

Outcomes and Commitments

The meeting concluded with a Joint Communiqué, which likely included:

1. Reaffirmation of commitment to health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
2. Plans for knowledge sharing and best practices exchange
3. Commitments to enhance cooperation in medical research and development
4. Strategies to improve access to affordable medicines
5. Proposals for joint initiatives in health workforce development

Significance

This meeting was significant for several reasons:

1. It reinforced the BRICS countries’ commitment to addressing global health challenges collectively.
2. The timing, alongside the World Health Assembly, allowed for broader international engagement.
3. It provided a platform for these emerging economies to align their health priorities and strategies.
4. The meeting contributed to shaping the post-2015 global health agenda, as the MDGs were nearing their end date.

Follow-up Actions

After the meeting, it’s likely that:

1. Working groups were formed to follow up on specific initiatives
2. Plans were made for the next BRICS Health Ministers Meeting
3. Collaborative research projects or policy initiatives were initiated
4. Efforts were made to integrate the meeting’s outcomes into each country’s national health policies

The 2014 Geneva meeting played a crucial role in advancing health cooperation among BRICS nations and contributed to their collective voice in global health discussions. It set the stage for future collaborations and helped shape the group’s health agenda in subsequent years.