From June 14 to 20, Guo Yanhong, vice-minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), led a delegation to visit Qatar and attend the 15th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting held in Brazil.

On the visit to Qatar, Guo met with Qatari Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud to discuss signing a bilateral health cooperation agreement and promoting practical collaboration in medical technology and traditional medicine. Guo also visited the Hamad General Hospital where both sides expressed their willingness to deepen cooperation and exchanges between medical institutions.

In Brazil, Guo attended and addressed the 15th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting. She highlighted that China has implemented a health-first strategy, comprehensively advanced the Healthy China initiative, and promoted coordinated governance and development of medical services, pharmaceuticals and health insurance, achieving significant results.  China is at the forefront of upper-middle-income countries globally in terms of Key health indicators for residents, she noted.

She added that China is ready to work with BRICS member states and partner countries to strengthen health policy dialogue and coordinated action, further deepen health exchanges and cooperation in all areas and contribute "BRICS power" to global health development and the building of a global community of health for all.

A declaration was adopted at the meeting. On the sidelines of the meeting, Guo held bilateral meetings with the health ministers of Brazil, Cuba and Nigeria, and also visited Brazilian medical and research institutions.