New Delhi: India on Wednesday proposed to focus more on mental health and healthy lifestyles under its BRICS chairmanship, as it hosted the first health working group meeting for 2026 in the capital.The meeting brought together senior health officials from partner countries as well as BRICS, a group of major emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, to discuss collaboration on key public health challenges.

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