Uplift research to fight HIV, Malaria and TB: BRICS

BRICS nations today said that it's essential to boost research work in order to fight diseases like HIV, Malaria and TB.

New Delhi: BRICS nations today said that it's essential to boost research work in order to fight diseases like HIV, Malaria and TB.

They also realised that to boost information and technology in health services in order to promote cost-effective treatment.

During the sixth two-day BRICS Health Ministers' meet that concluded today, they adopted the Delhi Communique as part of which member-nations agreed to a TB cooperation plan, a BRICS network on TB research and developing an R&D consortium on TB, HIV and Malaria.

The 25-point communique lays emphasis on research and development of medicines and diagnostic tools, reduction in premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030 as per Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target and effective health surveillance.

The member nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - also agreed to take measures to reduce maternal mortality, infant mortality, neo-natal mortality, under-5 mortality and congenital disorders with the aim of achieving the unfinished agenda of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the relevant SDGs.

They also acknowledged the need for greater use of information and communications technology in health services to promote cost-effective treatment.

Addressing the BRICS countries, Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda appealed to the delegates to sign an MoU on the regulatory working group mooted during BRICS workshop on drugs and medical devices in Goa in November 2016.

(With PTI inputs)