The Vital Prescription: Peace is the Key Medicine, Affirms WHO’s Regional Director of Europe
Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, recently hosted a conference dedicated to the Alma-Ata and Astana declarations on primary healthcare. The conference brought together representatives from 53 countries for the 73rd session of the World Health Organization’s Regional Committee for Europe. In an interview with The Astana Times, Dr. Hans Kluge, the WHO Regional Director for Europe, discussed the outcomes of the session and the role of Kazakhstan in promoting primary healthcare worldwide.
During the conference, 70 countries gathered to increase investments in primary healthcare by 2030. Dr. Kluge noted that Kazakhstan is the birthplace of primary healthcare, referring to the Alma-Ata Declaration signed in 1978. This declaration emphasized the importance of primary healthcare in achieving health for all. Dr. Kluge highlighted that primary healthcare can address 80% of health problems and that scaling primary healthcare interventions in low and middle-income countries could save millions of lives by 2030.
Dr. Kluge also praised the involvement of youth in the conference, stating that the outcome statement was developed by young people. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also emphasized the importance of empowering youth in the development of primary healthcare.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Kazakh government and the WHO signed a new collaborative agreement for the next two years. The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in various areas, including the prevention of noncommunicable diseases and improving health emergency preparedness.
Discussing the outcomes of the 73rd session, Dr. Kluge highlighted the adoption of a new European roadmap on antimicrobial resistance and a resolution on the future of the healthcare workforce. He emphasized the importance of a strong healthcare workforce in achieving good health.
Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kluge stated that the world needs to learn the lesson that no one is safe until everyone is safe. He acknowledged the challenge of vaccine inequality and praised Kazakhstan for its efforts in supporting other countries during the pandemic.
In conclusion, Dr. Kluge expressed the challenge of convincing countries to work together and the importance of peace in achieving good health. He emphasized the need for partnership and equity in global healthcare efforts.
