Parliaments discuss role in ensuring health care for all

The Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) convened its second session on March 31 in Hanoi, where they discussed the progress of the 2012 IPU Resolution on “The basic rights to access health care; the role of parliaments in addressing key challenges securing the health of women and children”.

Participants focused their discussion on the actions of IPU’s member parliaments in solving urgent socio-economic issues concerning health protection and care for women and children.

They also pointed out challenges faced in implementing the Resolution, while underlining the need to prioritise overcoming these issues after 2015.

Delegates at a session under the IPU-132

Vietnamese delegates reasserted Vietnam’s commitment to implementing its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and agreeing to international conventions related to the health of women and children.

They urged IPU member parliaments to pay heed to issuing legal documents on health care, especially for mothers and children, and to roll out policies to promote the effective implementation of these laws.

Vietnam suggested the IPU organise forums for its member nations to exchange information and share experience in making health laws, adding that this is a necessity in order to build and monitor regional and global health care networks for women and children.

In recent years, the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) has institutionalised international conventions in the field, with regulations on the responsibility of the State in investing in health care for people, covering universal health insurance and ensuring the right of every person to access healthcare services.

Many laws were adopted and revised in line with the country’s situation. The NA Standing Committee on Social Issues also implemented laws focusing on reproduction and child health care, especially in ethnic minority and remote areas.

Source: VNA

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