The World Health Assembly is an intense week, with delegates from 194 Member States passionately arguing about a number of global public health issues. #PrimaryHealthCare, as the tool for achieving #HealthForAll (this year’s theme) was at the forefront of debate. In his opening address, @DrTedros said, “The world has made great progress towards universal health coverage. The Declaration of Astana endorsed by all 194 Member States last year was a vital affirmation that there will be no UHC without primary health care.”
On the morning of Sunday May 19, WHO hosted the 2nd annual #WalkTheTalk event. This is an opportunity for delegates as well as the #Geneva community to demonstrate their commitment to health for all while having fun.
Joined by Korede Bello, a mental health advocate, Geneva native Romain Grosjean, a leading race driver, and special guest Mrs Margaret Kenyatta, the First Lady of Kenya, participants ran, walked or rolled in their choice of three circuits (3km, 5km or 8km) through Geneva’s lush greenery.
The #PHCYoungLeaders participated in the walk as a team, recognizable by their turquoise t-shirts and their enthusiasm (see below for the Young Leaders’ take on WHA).
On Monday, an official side event co-hosted by China and Kazakhstan with several other Member States focused on the topic of “Delivering on the Promise of Astana: From Vision to Action on PHC”. The standing-room only crowd heard from the host countries as well as from Ethiopia, the Russian Federation, Denmark and Spain as to how their respective countries are implementing or expanding PHC in ways appropriate to their context.
PHC was also the focus of a technical briefing on Tuesday, with a panel comprised of speakers from WHO’s AFRO region, Kenya, Colombia, the Philippines, the Global Fund, and civil society, moderated by @JamesChau, the WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals and Health.
Wednesday it was the PHC Young Leaders Network’s turn to speak of their experiences in primary health care. These early-career professionals, who include doctors, nurses, and researchers spoke passionately of their views on the future of PHC. Their session focused on two key aspects of PHC: challenges with regards to the health workforce and providing PHC in conflict settings.
In addition, PHC was the focus of a Facebook Live event which included the participation of Dr Seth Berkley, Executive Director of GAVI, Dr Lola Daré of CHESTRAD, and Ms Natasha Mwansa, youth advocate for health.
Two more official side events were centered on the topic of PHC. Bahrain, with the participation of several other Member States, hosted a session on “Disease Prevention: the Role of Primary Health Care in Achieving Sustainable, Universal Health Coverage. This was followed by a presentation on “Development of Primary Health Care with the Contribution of the Biotechnology Industry” organized by Cuba and a number of participating Member States .
Among the resolutions agreed at this year’s World Health Assembly, three have direct relevance to PHC. The first resolution is about #PHC for #UHC, urging Member States to implement the #DeclarationOfAstana and recognizing the key role that PHC plays in ensuring countries can provide the full range of health services a person needs throughout their life.
The second resolution recognizes the contribution made by #CommunityHealthWorkers and the key role they play in delivering PHC. The final resolution on #UHC endorsed by the Member States supports preparations for the high-level meeting on UHC which will take place at the UN General Assembly in September 2019.
It is important to remember that PHC, beyond meeting people’s health needs, also addresses the broader determinants of health. In this respect, two additional resolutions passed at this year’s WHA will have implications for PHC. The first concerns a new global strategy on health, environment and climate change which sets out a vision on how to respond to environmental health risks. The WHA also passed a resolution to improve safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in health facilities.
Full texts of all WHA resolutions can be found http://apps.who.int/gb/e/e_wha72.html
Delegates were also able to appreciate how support for PHC is spreading across the globe through the PHC Commitment Map. To date, 370 people and 140 organisations from 110 countries have expressed what PHC means to them. To join this global movement, share what PHC means to you, and help us spread support for PHC across the globe, visit the Commitment Map.