World Health Innovation Forum at AMTZ joins BRICS+ Manufacturing Working Group
This intergovernmental platform plays a pivotal role in shaping manufacturing collaboration and industrial policy among BRICS nations. The announcement comes at a crucial time, as India is set to assume the BRICS Presidency in 2026. WHIF's inclusion marks a significant endorsement of India's medtech leadership and underscores Visakhapatnam's rise as a key hub for South-South collaboration in health innovation, the release added.
The forum's selection positions India not merely as a consumer of global technology but as a co-architect of next-generation healthcare solutions, said Jitendra Sharma, Managing Director and Founder CEO of AMTZ.
'This selection reaffirms India's leadership in innovation and system-ready technologies. The WHIF model—developed at AMTZ—effectively bridges the health needs of the Global South with world-class healthtech capabilities. Our partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Kalam Institute of Health Technology, a WHO Collaborating Centre, is a game-changer,' Dr. Sharma remarked.
Over the years, WHIF has established itself as a premier platform for inclusive, affordable, and system-ready healthcare technology. Through initiatives such as the iPassport program, the World Health Innovation Fellowship, and EntrepreNari, WHIF has empowered engineers, startups, and women entrepreneurs from more than 20 low- and middle-income countries, providing access to cutting-edge infrastructure, regulatory support, and policy networks in India, he added.
Now, as a member of the BRICS+ Manufacturing Working Group, WHIF will take a leadership role in joint research and development (R&D) corridors, facilitate cross-border access to India's advanced testing and manufacturing facilities, and promote the localisation of medical innovation ecosystems across BRICS+ partner countries, Dr. Sharma said.
WHIF Chief Operating Officer Mohini Mehta noted, 'Being part of BRICS+ is not just a recognition, but a responsibility to co-create.'
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