NEW DELHI: India has proposed a stronger focus on mental health and healthy lifestyles under its BRICS chairship on Wednesday, as it hosted the first Health Working Group meeting for 2026 in the capital.The meeting brought together senior health officials from BRICS — a grouping of major emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with partner countries — to discuss cooperation on key public health challenges.

Highlighting a preventive and people-centric approach, India introduced two new priority areas — a BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles and promotion of mental health and wellness — aimed at addressing risk factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use and stress.Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said the Health Working Group would focus on building resilient and adaptable health systems through cooperation, mutual learning and evidence-based policymaking, while recognising the diverse needs of member countries.The discussions also reiterated ongoing priorities, including the BRICS TB Research Network, collaboration on medical products regulation, digital health systems and early warning mechanisms for infectious diseases.Officials emphasised the importance of strengthening health systems, improving access to affordable medicines and vaccines, and enhancing cooperation in research and innovation.Member countries expressed support for India’s proposed priorities and highlighted the need for deeper collaboration on tuberculosis, equitable access to health technologies and addressing broader social determinants of health.The meeting concluded with agreement on a roadmap for future engagements under the BRICS Health Track 2026, focusing on cooperation, innovation and strengthening public health systems across member nations.