At the 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ meeting, India’s Union Health Secretary emphasized the vital role of health cooperation in the partnership among BRICS nations, highlighting the significance of continuity of care in digital health and AI implementation.
During her keynote address, Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava pointed out that ensuring a seamless healthcare journey for citizens is crucial, as fragmented care across various providers can undermine health outcomes. She noted that the BRICS countries face common challenges, such as large populations, rural-urban health disparities, and increasing chronic disease burdens, which necessitate a collaborative approach to healthcare innovation.
The event, themed around enhancing healthcare through interoperable data systems and responsible AI, brought together health leaders and policymakers to discuss the importance of a coordinated health service delivery model. Srivastava referenced a compendium from the BRICS Health Track Technical Working Group, which highlights the need for interoperable digital health infrastructures to facilitate effective communication throughout the patient care continuum.
In sharing India's advancements, she mentioned the establishment of over 940 million Ayushman Bharat Health Account IDs and the issuance of digital identities to healthcare professionals and facilities. This initiative, along with India's Strategic Framework for AI in Healthcare, aims to promote ethical and transparent AI usage in health delivery, reinforcing the commitment of BRICS nations to build resilient and equitable health systems.