Bangladesh MP drafting IPU resolution on Universal Health Coverage

Prof Md Habibe Millat MP has been tasked by the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) to prepare the first draft of a resolution on Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Millat, who heads the IPU Advisory Group on Health, organised a consultation workshop at the Bangladesh Parliament building bringing together MPs, senior health officials, former director general for health services, experts, donors, UN agencies, and media on Wednesday.

They gave their opinion and insight for IPU resolution on the UHC which means that all people receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.

It includes, according to the WHO, the full spectrum of essential, quality health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

Prof Millat said the 139th general assembly of IPU accepted his proposal on behalf of the Bangladesh Parliament to adopt a resolution on achieving that UHC by 2030 and the role of parliaments in ensuring the right to health.

Following acceptance of the proposal, he was also appointed as co-rapporteur along with a member of the parliament from Switzerland and Brazil.

As a lead rapporteur, he is now developing the first draft of the resolution which will share with IPU members to collect their comments before presenting it to the 141st IPU general assembly in October 2019.

“This IPU resolution as a global tool will facilitate better engagement of the parliaments and parliamentarians on the UHC across the world,” he said.

“It’ll also act as a point of reference for parliaments and parliamentarians to support the states to achieve the UHC goals which is also align with sustainable development goals (SDG)”.

Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs Muhammad Faruk Khan, former health minister AFM Ruhal Haque, and principal coordinator (SDG affairs) of the Prime Minister's Office Abul Kalam Azad were present, among others.