India hosts first BRICS Health Working Group meeting of 2026; adds Healthy Lifestyle and Mental Wellness as priorities
The Union Health Ministry chaired the first BRICS Health Working Group meeting of 2026 in New Delhi, where India, as BRICS Chair, introduced 'Healthy Lifestyle' and 'Promotion of Mental Wellness' as two new priority areas.
Summary
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare chaired the first BRICS Health Working Group (HWG) meeting of 2026 in New Delhi, the ministry said on 15 April 2026. Delegates attended from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. India, the BRICS Chair for 2026, is guided by the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', which the ministry says reflects the approach the Prime Minister set out at the 2025 Rio Summit. India introduced 'Healthy Lifestyle' and 'Promotion of Mental Wellness' as two new priority areas, while the TB Research Network and evidence-based traditional medicine continue as focus areas. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava gave the opening remarks.
Key facts
- Meeting
- First BRICS Health Working Group meeting, 2026
- Venue
- New Delhi
- India's BRICS 2026 theme
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
- New priorities
- Healthy Lifestyle; Promotion of Mental Wellness
- Continuing priorities
- TB Research Network; evidence-based traditional medicine
- Opening remarks
- Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which two new priority areas did India introduce at the first BRICS Health Working Group meeting of 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Healthy Lifestyle and Promotion of Mental Wellness
India added 'Healthy Lifestyle' and 'Promotion of Mental Wellness'; the TB Research Network and evidence-based traditional medicine are continuing priorities.
India's theme for its BRICS Chairship in 2026 is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and ______'. Fill in the blank.
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Sustainability
The theme is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', as stated by the Health Ministry.