BRICS countries mull pandemic early warning system

On Tuesday, the 12th meeting of BRICS health ministers agreed that BRICS countries will launch an early warning system for large-scale pandemics.

The meeting was hosted by China, the BRICS chair this year, via video link. It was joined by more than 70 attendees including health ministers from BRICS countries and the deputy director-general of the World Health Organization.

At the meeting, representatives had in-depth discussions on a range of topics such as COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, building new health systems and digital health.

Ma Xiaowei, head of China's National Health Commission, introduced China's counter-epidemic policies including the dynamic zero-COVID approach, and talked about China's efforts to maintain a balance between epidemic prevention and economic development.

China has actively contributed to the global counter-pandemic effort by supplying medical resources and dispatching medical personnel, said Ma. He added that so far China has provided more than 2.2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations.

The Chinese side calls on the BRICS countries to face the pandemic with solidarity and cooperation, said Ma.

A joint declaration was adopted at the meeting.