OIC Vision, Policy and Strategy in the Health Sector

The domain of health is one of the various areas of cooperation identified by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for joint Islamic action. This was in recognition of the central role of health in overall human development and poverty alleviation in the member countries.

THE OIC HEALTH VISION AIMS TO:

- Eliminate disease and ensure best health for the people in the OIC member states enabling them to pursue their well-being and achieve their socio-economic development objectives.

- Promote equitable access to essential health care and improvements in social determinants of health.

- Work for the development of robust public health systems capable of supporting world class health standards in the OIC member states.

- Engage religious and cultural leaders for advocacy and assistance in the health related activities.

The OIC Ten-Year Programme of Action (TYPOA) adopted by the Third Extraordinary Islamic Summit held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in 2005 places special emphasis on mother and child health care and fighting diseases and pandemics.

THE TYPOA RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Mandate the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to coordinate with the OIC General Secretariat in order to make the necessary contacts with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other relevant institutions to draw up a programme for combating diseases and epidemics, to be financed through the special fund that will be created within the IDB.
• Strengthen laws aimed at preserving the rights of children, enjoying the highest possible health levels, taking effective measures in order to eradicate poliomyelitis and protect them from all forms of violence and exploitation.

Subsequent Islamic Conferences of Health Ministers (ICHMs), Islamic Summit Conferences and sessions of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) have adopted several decisions in the domain of health that cover issues such as preventing and combating diseases, improving mother and child health, achieving self-reliance in vaccine production and supply, establishing a Health Implementation Unit, strengthening health cooperation among OIC member countries and promoting health equity in the Islamic Ummah.