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BRICS to jointly promote access to health
May 23, 2013, 11:25 am

[Xinhua]

BRICS announced that they are looking to jointly promote access to affordable, safe, efficacious and quality medical products[ Xinhua]

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are stepping up intra-BRICS cooperation in the health sector.

A joint communiqué released on the sidelines of the 66th World Health Assembly in Geneva said BRICS Technical Working Groups will focus on five thematic issues, such as strengthening health surveillance system; reducing noncommunicable disease risk factors.

BRICS representatives also discussed the World Health Organisation (WHO) report on Monitoring Achievements of the Millennium Development Goals.

Despite progress being made, much needs to be done if these Goals are to be achieved by 2015 and beyond, said the joint statement.

BRICS have also announced that they are looking to jointly promote access to affordable, safe, efficacious and quality medical products through the use of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property.

The five nations also reiterated their commitment to support WHO as a coordinating authority in global health.

BRICS have emphasised on the importance for technology transfer as a way to empower developing countries.

Nearly 3,000 delegates from 194 member states of WHO attended the annual meeting that opened Monday in Geneva.

During the eight-day session, issues on top of the agenda include WHO reforms, targets for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, monitoring of the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, health in the post-2015 development agenda, pandemic influenza preparedness and universal health coverage.

Source: Agencies