OREANDA-NEWS. BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) will step up efforts to conduct joint research in combating disease and improving public health among their populations to ensure a more efficient struggle against dangerous diseases like HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

Dmitry Kostennikov, deputy head of the Russian Ministry of Health spoke to TASS after the Sixth BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Health Issues in New Delhi, and said the main outcome of the meeting was improved and coordinated research to tackle public health emergencies.

“It is important that within the framework of BRICS, we carry out not only an exchange of technologies and the development of joint ventures, but also the co-generation of knowledge, because today, for many it is becoming obvious, that only together can we solve the most significant health problems” he said. “For the BRICS countries, a heavy burden is HIV, and many other diseases, including tuberculosis, and it is vital to work together to combat these dangerous infections.”

Kostennikov said during the meeting, participants discussed the possibility of funding joint research in the field of health, by attracting the resources of the BRICS New Development Bank. In addition, members of the association do not exclude the possibility of creating a common fund for the allocation of earmarked funds towards a research network programme, which will bring together leading specialists of Brazil, Russia, India and China.

The deputy head of the Ministry of Health noted that Russia has excellent experience in the fight against various infections, including HIV, which it is willing to share with other countries.