Minimum Basic Healthcare Service Catalogue

## PROPOSAL FOR AN ACT OF THE WORLD PARLIAMENT

**ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MINIMUM BASIC HEALTHCARE SERVICE CATALOGUE**

The World Parliament,

* **Recognizing** the fundamental human right of every individual to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, as enshrined in international instruments;
* **Affirming** the commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Target 3.8, which calls for achieving UHC, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all;
* **Acknowledging** the persistent disparities in access to essential healthcare services across and within Member States, contributing to preventable morbidity and mortality;
* **Emphasizing** the role of a globally harmonized, yet adaptable, minimum standard for essential healthcare services as a crucial step towards health equity, global health security, and resilience against public health emergencies;
* **Considering** the technical expertise and normative function of the World Health Organization (WHO) in defining and guiding the provision of health services;

**HEREBY ENACTS THE FOLLOWING:**

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### **CHAPTER I: GENERAL PROVISIONS**

#### **Article 1: Title and Scope**

1. This Act shall be known as the "Minimum Basic Healthcare Service Catalogue Act."
2. This Act establishes a framework for the development, implementation, monitoring, and periodic review of a Minimum Basic Healthcare Service Catalogue (hereinafter, "the Catalogue") applicable to all Member States.
3. The Catalogue shall define the minimum essential health services that Member States are expected to make available and accessible to their populations, without discrimination.

#### **Article 2: Definitions**

For the purposes of this Act:

1. **"Catalogue"** refers to the Minimum Basic Healthcare Service Catalogue established under this Act.
2. **"Essential Health Services"** means a set of priority health interventions identified as crucial for addressing the main health needs of a population, encompassing promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care.
3. **"Member State"** refers to a sovereign state that is a member of the World Parliament.
4. **"World Health Organization (WHO)"** refers to the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
5. **"Universal Health Coverage (UHC)"** means that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.

#### **Article 3: Objectives**

The objectives of this Act are to:

1. Establish a globally recognized, evidence-based standard for minimum basic healthcare services.
2. Promote equitable access to essential health services for all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status, geographical location, or other characteristics.
3. Support Member States in strengthening their primary healthcare systems.
4. Provide a baseline for national health planning, resource allocation, and accountability.
5. Contribute to global health security by ensuring foundational health service provision.

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### **CHAPTER II: ESTABLISHMENT AND CONTENT OF THE MINIMUM BASIC HEALTHCARE SERVICE CATALOGUE**

#### **Article 4: Establishment of the Catalogue**

1. The World Health Organization (WHO) is hereby mandated to develop and formally establish the initial Minimum Basic Healthcare Service Catalogue within twenty-four (24) months of the entry into force of this Act.
2. The Catalogue shall be adopted by a resolution of the World Parliament, following a recommendation from the WHO.

#### **Article 5: Principles for Catalogue Development**

The development of the Catalogue shall adhere to the following principles:

1. **Evidence-Based:** Services shall be selected based on robust scientific evidence of effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and public health impact.
2. **Equity and Non-Discrimination:** The Catalogue shall address the health needs of the entire population, with particular attention to vulnerable and underserved groups, ensuring services are accessible without discrimination.
3. **Affordability:** The Catalogue shall prioritize services that are feasible for Member States to implement and sustain within their varying economic contexts, considering efficiency and value for money.
4. **Accessibility:** Services shall be designed to be physically, financially, and culturally accessible to all individuals.
5. **Comprehensiveness of Basic Services:** The Catalogue shall cover a broad spectrum of basic health needs, focusing on primary healthcare as the foundation.
6. **Adaptability:** While setting a minimum standard, the Catalogue shall allow for adaptation by Member States to their specific epidemiological profiles, socio-cultural contexts, and resource capacities, provided the minimum standard is met.
7. **Ethical Considerations:** The Catalogue shall be developed with due regard for ethical principles, including patient autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.

#### **Article 6: Core Components of the Catalogue**

The Catalogue shall, at a minimum, include provisions for:

1. **Primary Healthcare Services:**
* Health promotion and education.
* Disease prevention, including immunization and screening programs.
* Basic diagnostic services.
* Management of common illnesses and injuries.
* Referral pathways to higher levels of care.
2. **Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Services:**
* Antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care.
* Newborn care and essential vaccinations.
* Child growth monitoring and nutrition services.
* Management of common childhood diseases.
3. **Communicable Disease Management:**
* Surveillance, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of prevalent infectious diseases (e.g., tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, vaccine-preventable diseases).
* Outbreak response capabilities.
4. **Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Management:**
* Screening, early diagnosis, and basic management of common NCDs (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, common cancers).
* Health lifestyle promotion.
5. **Mental Health and Neurological Services:**
* Basic mental health promotion and prevention.
* Diagnosis and initial management of common mental health conditions.
* Support for neurological disorders.
6. **Emergency and Essential Surgical Care:**
* Basic emergency medical services, including first aid and stabilization.
* Access to essential surgical procedures for life-threatening conditions.
7. **Essential Medicines and Technologies:**
* Access to a defined list of essential medicines and vaccines.
* Access to basic medical devices and diagnostic technologies.
8. **Palliative Care:**
* Basic palliative care services to relieve suffering and improve quality of life for individuals with life-limiting illnesses.

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### **CHAPTER III: IMPLEMENTATION BY MEMBER STATES**

#### **Article 7: Obligation to Implement**

1. Each Member State shall be obligated to progressively implement the Catalogue within its national health system.
2. Member States shall integrate the Catalogue into their national health policies, strategies, and plans.

#### **Article 8: Adaptation to National Contexts**

1. Member States may adapt the methods of delivery and specific modalities of the services outlined in the Catalogue to their national and sub-national contexts, provided that the minimum standards and scope of services are maintained.
2. Any adaptation shall aim to enhance accessibility, quality, and cultural appropriateness without diminishing the core entitlements.

#### **Article 9: Resource Mobilization**

1. Member States shall commit to mobilizing adequate and sustainable domestic resources to finance the implementation of the Catalogue.
2. International cooperation and financial assistance shall be encouraged to support Member States, particularly those with limited resources, in meeting their obligations under this Act.

#### **Article 10: Non-Discrimination in Service Provision**

Member States shall ensure that the provision of services under the Catalogue is free from discrimination of any kind, including on grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability, or any other status.

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### **CHAPTER IV: MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND REVIEW**

#### **Article 11: Reporting Requirements**

1. Each Member State shall submit a comprehensive report to the World Parliament, through the WHO, every three (3) years, detailing its progress in implementing the Catalogue.
2. Reports shall include data on service coverage, accessibility, quality, financing, and any challenges encountered, along with proposed solutions.

#### **Article 12: Monitoring and Evaluation Framework**

1. The WHO shall develop a standardized monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the global implementation and impact of the Catalogue.
2. This framework shall include core indicators and methodologies for data collection and analysis.

#### **Article 13: Review and Revision of the Catalogue**

1. The Catalogue shall be subject to a comprehensive review by the WHO every five (5) years, or more frequently if deemed necessary by the WHO or the World Parliament, to incorporate advancements in medical science, epidemiological shifts, and emerging public health challenges.
2. Any proposed revisions to the Catalogue shall be submitted to the World Parliament for adoption.
3. Stakeholder consultations, including with Member States, civil society organizations, and experts, shall be an integral part of the review process.

#### **Article 14: Role of the World Parliament**

1. The World Parliament shall exercise oversight over the implementation of this Act and the Catalogue.
2. The World Parliament may request additional reports, convene expert panels, and issue recommendations to Member States and the WHO to facilitate effective implementation.

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### **CHAPTER V: FINAL PROVISIONS**

#### **Article 15: Relationship to International Law**

1. This Act shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and other applicable international law.
2. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as diminishing any existing obligations of Member States under international human rights law or other international agreements related to health.

#### **Article 16: Entry into Force**

This Act shall enter into force six (6) months after its adoption by the World Parliament.

#### **Article 17: Transitional Measures**

Member States shall be afforded a period of five (5) years from the date of the Catalogue's adoption to align their national health systems and policies with the provisions of the Catalogue. During this period, the WHO shall provide technical assistance and capacity-building support upon request.

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