What are the ILO's objectives and policies ?

The objectives and policies of the ILO are:

• Achieving universal access to health services through the extension of social health protection coverage.
  The main tools to attain this objective include implementing and improving effectiveness of statutory schemes, such as social health insurance, universal services and social assistance programs. Furthermore, innovative mechanisms e.g. community-based micro-insurance schemes and building linkages between statutory and innovative schemes contribute to increase health protection coverage.
• Striving for sustainability and solidarity in financing based on good governance and efficient use of resources.
  Related ILO policies focus on financing, administration and organization and include the development of health budgets and actuarial evaluations.
• Supporting an active role of the state in facilitation, promotion and extension of coverage and a strong role for social partners particularly through social dialogue.
  In this context the state's role is seen as providing support through legislation, adequate financing sources from contributions and/or taxes, administrative infrastructure, knowledge development and experience.

The ILO does not suggest a single right model of social protection in health for all countries. However, ILO has developed some guiding principles, which help to identify appropriate ways to meet the objectives mentioned. They include

• Equality of treatment and equal access to health services, for example with regard to gender equality.
• The principle of inclusiveness of the scheme refers to universality, human dignity, social justice and poverty reduction.
• The solidarity principle. It applies first and foremost to financing techniques such as risk-pooling in social health insurance or taxation and ensures that the economic burden of disease is lessened

It is important, that the State assumes overall responsibility for ensuring adequate protection to its citizens. And finally, it is crucial for ILO that a transparent and democratic management is established. This refers to a participatory approach of management and governance, which is based on social dialogue and informed decision-making.