BRICS Health Cooperation: BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration, backing a network of mental-health training hubs and Centres of Excellence with India’s NIMHANS as coordinating centre, aiming to scale mental well-being into primary care. Primary Care Push: Ghana’s President Mahama said the Free Primary Health Care programme complements (not replaces) NHIS, using Health Kiosks and CHPS compounds for free basic services while referrals still require NHIS access at higher levels. Workforce Pressure: Tamil Nadu nurses’ groups hit back at a plan to fill 4,724 staff-nurse vacancies on 11-month temporary contracts, arguing it worsens shortages. Emergency Supplies: UNFPA handed Sri Lanka’s health ministry $250,641 in emergency medical supplies to strengthen disaster response. Digital Health Expansion: Andhra Pradesh begins digitising citizens’ health records from Jan 1 under Sanjeevani, alongside new critical-care blocks and integrated public health labs. Air Quality Alert: Public health officials warned about Saharan dust raising respiratory risks, urging residents to limit outdoor time and protect indoor air. Outbreak Readiness: Africa CDC and CEPI launched a database linking vaccine developers to African Phase 1 trial sites to speed up outbreak vaccine testing. Substance Safety: Ondo State (Nigeria) banned sales of unverified “monkey tail” alcohol after 30 deaths and 50 hospitalisations, with NAFDAC-linked investigations underway.