Veronika Skvortsova speaks about the upcoming BRICS Healthcare Ministers Meeting

On 30 October, Moscow will host the BRICS Healthcare Ministers Meeting. Russia's Minister of Healthcare Veronika Skvortsova spoke to journalists about what is expected from the meeting, saying that special attention will be paid to fighting socially important diseases: HIV and tuberculosis.

The ministers will also discuss the fight against non-infectious diseases. "Non-communicable diseases, which are responsible for over 60 percent of deaths, are a big problem for our five countries, as well as all others. We have some common plans to discuss in this respect," the Minister said.

Ms Skvortsova also said that the BRICS ministers of healthcare hold meetings on a regular basis. "The latest meeting was held in Geneva; we have a good partnership with all our colleagues and are implementing many joint programmes."