By Hamu Madzedze
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the World Health Organisation(WHO ) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding , reaffirming the critical role that parliamentarians play in enabling quality healthcare which will foster stable and equitable societies.
The new five year MOU has been signed by the IPU Secretary-General Mr Martin Chungong and WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the 148th IPU Assembly which is underway in Geneva.
Dr Ghebreyesus said parliamentarians play an essential role in setting policies, prioritising investments and ensuring accountability to advance public health.
"Political leadership in service of the public ,saves lives and protects health by ensuring communities and countries are better prepared and designed to be healthier and safe"said Dr Ghebreyesus.
He added that they look forward to working closer with the IPU and parliamentarians worldwide to advance efforts to protect and promote peoples' well-being that is from negotiating a pandemic agreement , preventing a repeat of the impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic to investing in universal health coverage.
IPU Secretary General Mr Martin Chungong said parliamentarians have a key role in addressing health issues and this is why they have partnered with WHO to enlighten parliamentarians on various global health processes.
"Parliamentarians play an important role ,which is why we will continue working with WHO at all levels to raise awareness among legislators on the pandemic agreement and other global issues.
The Memorandum reinforces critical areas of cooperation that align with global health priorities, namely universal health coverage,global health security, health promotion and reducing health inequities especially in relation to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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