The BRICS development bank and health

摘要

In their Editorial (April 6, p 1158), the Lancet Editors are concerned that health did not appear to be prominent in the recent BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) nations leaders' summit, with the establishment of a new development bank taking centre stage. The Editorial encourages the bank to focus on health as its "wisest investment". I am more optimistic. At the 2011 summit in Beijing, China, the BRICS leaders confirmed that public health is an essential element for social and economic development and should be reflected accordingly in national and international policies. Furthermore, they agreed to establish and encourage a global health agenda for universal access to affordable medicines and health commodities. The passage of a UN General Assembly resolution on universal health coverage in December, 2012, reinforced how universal health coverage is now becoming a global health objective. However, this will only be achieved if formal assessment becomes an acceptable key component. The BRICS development bank will require evidence of value for moneyto invest in health.