After 20 years without formal health agreements, Brazil and Canada have rekindled their cooperation. On March 19, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in Geneva, during a visit by Brazil’s Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha. The partnership focuses on climate and health, digital health, strengthening public health systems, and technology transfer.
A major outcome is Canada’s decision to join the Global Coalition for Local and Regional Production, Innovation, and Equitable Access in Health, led by Brazil. In a letter, Canadian health officials pledged to support wider access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments, especially for vulnerable populations and neglected diseases.
Minister Padilha said the Coalition aims to reduce the Global South’s reliance on imported health products and to strengthen local production. “Innovation without access is not innovation, it’s injustice,” he said, highlighting Brazil’s world-class institutions like Fiocruz and the Butantan Institute.
Canada will also send representatives to the Coalition’s Directorate Committee, adding political and technical weight to the group. The country is known for its biomedical research, innovation, and vaccine production capacity, especially after recent pandemic-related investments.
Four new international organizations—PAHO, MMV, MPP, and South Centre—have also joined the Coalition, bringing the total to 28 members. This broad network includes governments, research bodies, funders, and civil society, all working to improve equitable access and local production of health technologies.
Canada has also signed on to the Belém Action Plan, which helps health systems adapt to climate change. The plan is especially relevant as climate change expands the reach of diseases like dengue, now present in more than 100 countries.
Brazil’s health regulator, ANVISA, and its Canadian counterpart will deepen cooperation, especially on regulation, local manufacturing, and health surveillance. Dengue is now the Coalition’s top priority, with the Butantan-DV vaccine seen as a key step toward regional self-sufficiency.
Finally, the Coalition has opened its first call for proposals, inviting global participation until July 1. The initiative, launched at the World Health Assembly and led by Brazil during its G20 presidency, is a major step toward health sovereignty and equity worldwide.
Source: Gov.BR
