The BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) presented some highlights of the work that is being discussed this year at “Hospitalar 2025,” the largest healthcare event in Latin America, held in São Paulo from May 20 to 23. Focused on championing entrepreneurship and female empowerment, the BRICS WBA took the opportunity during the expo to strengthen its connections within the healthcare industry.
Celebrating its 32nd anniversary, “Hospitalar” is known as the leading platform for healthcare sector networking. The event provided opportunities for business development, networking, and knowledge exchange. A total of 80,000 people attended the event panels, which showcased 1,200 exhibiting brands and welcomed guests from 80 countries.
Under the leadership of Global Chair Mônica Monteiro, the BRICS WBA aimed to connect female business leaders globally, driving the expansion of business opportunities and fostering innovation. The BRICS WBA’s Health Working Group, led by Janete Vaz, CEO of the Sabin Group, discussed innovative solutions for the sector, adhering to global trends and addressing current challenges.
Monteito pointed that “As the Global Chair of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, I highlighted how the challenges in healthcare are amplified when viewed through a gender lens. Women live longer, face more years of chronic illness, and often assume the role of caregivers within their families. This reality requires a broader view of healthcare—not only access to medicine and prevention but also investment in assistive technologies, infrastructure, and quality of life. Diseases like Alzheimer’s remind us that healthcare is not only about medical protocols. It’s about memory, dignity, and accessibility—and this is an urgent concern, especially in BRICS countries where the elderly population is growing rapidly”, she stated.
The agenda presented at the event focused on concrete policy recommendations and actionable priorities. Among them, the eradication of cervical cancer through expanded HPV vaccination and early treatment; and a coordinated BRICS – wide initiative to address women’s mental health with unified screening and treatment guidelines, supported by national ministries and the World Health Organization (WHO). WBA representatives also addressed broader themes such as equitable healthcare access, innovation, and resilience in the face of future pandemics.
The WBA representatives also higlighted the role of BRICS nations in the field: India in generics drugs, China in medical technologies, Brazil in primary care and clinical research, Russia in biotech and vaccines, and South Africa in digital health innovation.
During “Hospitalar 2025,” the BRICS WBA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting progress and investment in the field. By collaborating with industry players and embracing new innovations showcased at the event, the alliance established key partnerships and unearthed new business prospects, marking a significant moment in the industry landscape.
