Achieving universal health coverage by 2030: The role of parliaments in ensuring right to health

Abstract

In October 2018, on behalf of the Bangladesh Parliament, I proposed to the 139^th Assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) to adopt a resolution on “Achieving universal health coverage by 2030: The role of parliaments in ensuring the right to health” (Annex-1). After the acceptance of my proposal, I worked as a co-rapporteur along with Mr. Christian Lohr, Member of the National Council, Switzerland and Ms. Mariana Carvalho, Member of the Chamber of Deputies, Brazil for a year to consult with and gather inputs from the parliaments and parliamentarians across the world.

After several intensive discussions, debates and consultations in different parts of the world, we presented a draft proposal to the IPU member parliaments before presented it to the IPU assembly. Later, following the final debate and discussion, 141^st IPU assembly 2019 in Belgrade, Serbia approved this resolution. I believe this global tool will enable parliaments and parliamentarians to contribute in ensuring the highest attainable standard of health and global health targets by 2030.

I am grateful to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Jononetry Sheikh Hasina MP and the Hon’ble Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP for their encouragement. I am also thankful to IPU President Ms Gabriela Cuevas Barron, IPU Secretary General Mr Martin Chungong and World Health Organization Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for their regular guidance towards this initiative. My sincere appreciation goes to the colleagues from the Bangladesh Parliament, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, IPU Secretariat and WHO Secretariat for their contribution in the process.

I hope our parliaments and parliamentarians will take full advantage of this resolution in their work to make the right decisions when it’s come to those health issues.

I am now looking forward to working together with my fellow parliamentarians from home and abroad to deliver the commitment we have made through the IPU resolution on universal health coverage. I would appreciate your comment, suggestion and advice in this regard.