Non-communicable diseases should be monitored: Azad

Non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension should be included in the health surveillance systems of the world, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said Thursday.

India can contribute towards critical areas like health financing, health services administration, institutional reforms and appropriate use of available medical technology, Azad said while addressing the third BRICS health ministers' meeting at Cape Town, South Africa.

BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is an association of five major emerging national economies.

Azad stressed on enhanced cooperation among the BRICS nations, and said the association has emerged as a valuable forum for consultation, coordination and cooperation on contemporary global issues of mutual interest.

India's health minister proposed enhanced cooperation in medical education and training, capacity building, quality healthcare at an affordable cost, biotechnology, drug discovery and development as well as in the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, besides traditional Indian medicine.

The first formal BRICS health ministers' meeting was held in Beijing, China in July, 2011.