Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), speaks at the 11th BRICS Health Ministers Meeting and High-Level Meeting on Traditional Medicine via video link on July 28. [Photo/nhc.gov.cn]

Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), attended the 11th BRICS Health Ministers Meeting and High-Level Meeting on Traditional Medicine via video link on July 28.

Ma said at the meeting that facing the COVID-19 pandemic, the most serious infectious disease in a century, China has successfully blocked the spread of indigenous cases in three months and created a sound environment for economic and social development. It is the only major economy that achieved positive growth in 2020.

As the global pandemic situation remains grim and complex, BRICS countries should further enhance solidarity and work with the international community to build a global health community for all, he noted.

The participating health ministers introduced their own countries' measures taken in response to COVID-19, and reached the consensus that BRICS countries should work together to combat the pandemic, strengthen information exchanges and sharing, promote vaccine research, development and accessibility, and deepen cooperation in areas such as digital health, drug research and development and traditional medicine. A declaration was adopted at the meeting.

Hosted by India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the meeting saw around 50 participants, including the health ministers of India, Brazil, Russia and South Africa, principals of traditional medicine and delegates of the World Health Organization. Chinese officials from the NHC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Medical Products Administration, and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine participated in the meeting.