.png?sfvrsn=6d0e27cd_1 "Partnership for Change - v7 (1)")
Countries around the world agreed to the Declaration of Astana, vowing to strengthen their primary health care systems as an essential step toward achieving universal health coverage. The Declaration of Astana reaffirms the historic 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata, the first time world leaders committed to primary health care. The Global Conference in Astana was hosted by WHO, UNICEF and the Government of Kazakhstan. Participants include ministers of health, finance, education and social welfare; health workers and patient advocates; youth delegates and activists; and leaders representing bilateral and multilateral institutions, global health advocacy organizations, civil society, academia, philanthropy, media and the private sector. The Declaration of Astana, unanimously endorsed by all WHO Member States, makes pledges in four key areas:
- To make bold political choices for health across all sectors
- To build sustainable primary health care;
- Empower individuals and communities; and
- Align stakeholder support to national policies, strategies and plans.
UNICEF and WHO will help governments and civil society to act on the Declaration of Astana and encourage them to back the movement. UNICEF and WHO will also support countries in reviewing the implementation of this Declaration, in cooperation with other partners.
On the eve of the Global Conference on Primary Health Care , civil society partners urged governments and global leaders to realise a broad and inclusive movement for universal health coverage (UHC), calling for systematic attention to the needs of the most marginalised and vulnerable populations. landmark statement
The landmark statement reaffirms CSO commitment to form strategic partnerships and engage in collective advocacy with a common health agenda. The statement, shaped out of submissions from individuals and CSOs all over the world, reflects tangible steps and actions needed beyond the 40th anniversary of the Alma-Ata Declaration, the first international declaration underlining the importance of primary health care. The civil society statement complements the Astana Declaration which was launched at the conference.
PMNCH’s Strategy & Finance Committee will be discussing how the Astana Declaration will be taken forward and will also be discussed at the next Board meeting in New Delhi in December.