Universal health coverage takes centre stage

The Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) yesterday discussed a draft resolution on achieving universal health coverage by 2030 and the role of parliaments in ensuring the right to health.Dutch parliamentarian Arda Gerkens, who chaired the session, stressed the importance of discussions on the proposal submitted by Bangladesh during the 139th Session, hoping to come up with specific parliamentary procedures to be included in the resolution, noting that universal health coverage is essential, and is part of the goals of sustainable development 2030.Dr Zafar Mirza of the World Health Organization (WHO), who attended the session within the partnership with the IPU, pointed to current global health challenges, saying that about 36% of the world’s population and 53% of the Middle East population do not have access to health services because of poverty or poor quality of services.The committee, through its rapporteurs, introduced parliamentarians to some general indicators on health services at the global level, noting that about half of the world’s population is deprived of basic health services, while the high costs of health services have pushed about 100mn people into poverty.Yousuf al-Khater, member of the Advisory Council, highlighted the experience of the State of Qatar in the health sector.He said that healthcare in Qatar, since its inception, is free of charge for citizens and residents, except for a very small amount charged for medicines only.He stressed that Qatar’s healthcare is comprehensive and integrated in accordance with clear plans that have absorbed the various challenges of this sector, guided by Qatar’s national vision, which has set its goal in the health sector as “healthy population, physically and mentally”. Today, he said, Qatar has a comprehensive healthcare system that meets the highest international standards, and all residents have access to it and use its services, and the State is currently considering a health insurance system.He pointed out that the State of Qatar has built many hospitals to meet health challenges at the local level such as Heart Hospital, Al Amal Cancer Hospital, and primary healthcare centres, maternity and childhood centres, and other centres for care and rehabilitation, in addition to building hospitals for workers who contribute to the construction 2022 FIFA World Cup facilities, and in other projects.Aisha al-Washahi, a member of the State Council of Oman, said that the proposed resolution on comprehensive health coverage should include appropriate mechanisms adopted by national parliaments to ensure the rights of displaced persons from areas of armed conflict to healthcare throughout the crisis period.