Delegates participating in the 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting joined a walkathon in Chandigarh to promote healthy lifestyles
July 23, 2026: Delegates attending the 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting participated in a walkathon at Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake on Thursday as part of India’s BRICS 2026 chairship. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said the event was organised under the “BRICS Mission for a Healthy Lifestyle” initiative. She noted that a yoga session had also been conducted on Wednesday, with both activities aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles.
Srivastava said the walkathon focused on spreading awareness about fitness, balanced nutrition and the global campaign to “Stop Obesity.” She added that the delegates participated enthusiastically and even walked beyond the planned route. According to her, such initiatives would help carry the message of healthy living across the world.
India is hosting the 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh from July 22 to 24, bringing together health ministers and senior officials to strengthen cooperation on health security, digital health and pandemic preparedness. Earlier this week, India also hosted the BRICS meeting on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) as part of the four-day BRICS Health Track programme.