BRICS countries increasing global health, development aid, report says

As their economies grow, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- known collectively as BRICS -- "are injecting new resources, innovation and momentum into efforts to improve health in the world's poorest countries, according to a report [.pdf] by Global Health Strategies initiatives [GHSi]" released on Monday, Business Live reports (Roberts, 3/26). "The report was released in New Delhi, India, where the BRICS Summit, including a heads of government meeting, will be held from 28-29 March," a GHSi press release (.pdf) states.

"The GHSi report finds that the BRICS approach foreign assistance differently than traditional donors, largely due to their own domestic experiences," by "emphasiz[ing] South-South cooperation and technical support that aim to build capacity and self-sufficiency; "describes important contributions by the BRICS to multilateral health initiatives," such as UNITAID and the GAVI Alliance; "documents how public and private sector innovators in the BRICS countries are producing high-quality, low-cost health technologies that have revolutionized health access among poor populations"; and "cites a number of possible subject areas where the BRICS could coordinate their efforts, including TB innovation, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, polio eradication, disease surveillance and access to vaccines," according to the press release (3/26). A webcast of the report's launch is available online from GHSi (3/26).