TEHRAN –Attending the 14th meeting of BRICS Ministers of Health, Alireza Raeisi, the deputy health minister, proposed adopting a child-centered, rather than adult-centered, approach in addressing non-communicable diseases, which was well received by BRICS member states.

The meeting of Ministers of Health was held from October 10 to 11 in Moscow.

“Currently, most of the existing protocols in the world regarding non-communicable diseases focus on care and treatment in adults,” IRNA quoted Raeisi as saying. 

“However, the change in lifestyle all over the world has led to the prevalence of issues such as obesity, inactivity, computer games, apartment living,  air pollution, lowered onset age of diabetes, and sleep disorders which pose a threat to children's health. It highlights the need for preventive interventions at early age at schools,” the official noted.

Therefore, BRICS member states decided that Iran presents its proposed plan to be discussed as the main topic in BRICS next meeting.

***Meeting of BRICS health ministers

During 14th meeting, the participants discussed ways for enhancing cooperation in the field of health and treatment, utilizing new medical technologies, developing industries associated with production of advanced medical equipment, and improving the quality of education in health sector, IRNA reported.

The event also focused on the challenges and threats facing healthcare in BRICS, as well as the outlook for cooperation in new areas such as nuclear medicine, combatting antimicrobial resistance, and public health.

The establishment of a BRICS Medical Journal and BRICS Medical Association, the creation of an Integrated Early Warning System for Preventing the Risk of Mass Infectious Diseases in BRICS, the BRICS Tuberculosis Research Network and BRICS Vaccine Centre, and regulatory cooperation were among other main topics discussed.

During the meeting, Russian health minister Mikhail Murashko said that the main objective of the meeting is to bolster physical and mental health in BRICS member states through the enhancement of intra-BRICS cooperation.

The official emphasized that Russia supports the joint manufacture of medicines and the establishment of early warning systems for diseases in the BRICS member states.

Addressing the meeting, Raeisi highlighted Iran’s commitment to promote global health and expand cooperation with BRICS member states. 

With the slogan ‘health for all’, Iran has always underscored fair access to medical services for everyone throughout the country, particularly in remote areas, Raeisi noted.

The official went on to propose collaboration in the field of health and treatment research, as well as fair access to medicine and vaccines globally. 

The meeting ended with the adoption of a joint declaration.

On the sidelines of the event, Raeisi held a meeting with his Russian counterpart.

The officials explored avenues for boosting cooperation in the health sector including medical and pharmaceutical fields.

**** Tehran seeks to boost health cooperation with SCO, BRICS

The fourth coordination and consensus meeting of the special working group for boosting cooperation with the BRICS and SCO was held on August 17 in Tehran, the health ministry website reported.

During the meeting, Mohammad-Amir Amirkhani, the deputy director of the health ministry's department for international affairs,  said the health ministry is planning to strengthen collaborations with the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS intergovernmental organization.

MT/MG