WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care Newsletter (Issue 9)
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Newsletter of the WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care
Issue 9 I December 2023
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear friends and colleagues,
We're thrilled to bring you the latest updates on primary health care (PHC) from the WHO Special Programme on PHC network across countries, regions and WHO headquarters and highlight some important events that have recently occurred in the global health landscape. Notably, the UN General Assembly orchestrated the much-anticipated “High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC)”, a pivotal moment where world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to PHC and that PHC makes the health system efficient, effective and to deliver equitably. A dedicated multi-stakeholders’ panel on “what is PHC and why does it matter” convened during the UN General Assembly to reflect diverse voices on PHC the cornerstone of the UHC.
During this period, the International Conference on Primary Health Care was also held in Astana which brought together members states, experts, and stakeholders from across the globe. This landmark event rekindled the spirit of Alma-Ata by reaffirming the critical role of primary health care as the cornerstone of sustainable health systems. Delegates deliberated on innovative strategies, emphasizing community engagement and multi-sectoral action, to strengthen primary health care and pave the way for healthier and more resilient societies. These milestones mark crucial steps forward in our collective journey towards achieving comprehensive and equitable health care for all.
As the year coming to an end, we extend our warmest greetings to you. I wish we will carry together the spirit of collaboration and action into the new year, ensuring that health remains a fundamental right for everyone, everywhere. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a healthy, prosperous 2024!
Warmly,
Suraya Dalil, MD, MPH
Director, WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care
“Ultimately, universal health coverage is a choice–a political choice. The political declaration countries approved today is a strong signal that they are making that choice. But the choice is not just made on paper. It’s made in budget decisions and policy decisions. Most of all, it’s made by investing in primary health care, which is the most inclusive, equitable, and efficient path to universal health coverage.”
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
On 21 September, the President of the UN General Assembly convened the High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), where Member States approved a new Political Declaration on “Universal Health coverage: expanding our ambition for health and well-being in a post-COVID world”. The Political Declaration was subsequently adopted by the General Assembly on 5 October.
In the Political Declaration, Member States committed to take key national actions, make essential investments, and strengthen international cooperation and global solidarity at the highest political level to accelerate progress towards UHC by 2030, using a primary health care (PHC) approach. The Political Declaration mandates a follow-up High-Level Meeting (HLM) on UHC to review implementation in 2027.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, provided opening remarks as well as the President of the UN General Assembly and the UN Deputy Secretary-General. Ten Heads of State and Government, 97 Ministers, 16 Vice Ministers, and other high-level officials participated in the HLM plenary, signaling strong engagement from Member States. The multi-stakeholder panels (Panel 1, Panel 2), which were co-chaired by Ministers from Sweden, Kenya, Kazakhstan and Malta, were also well attended by Member States and other key stakeholders.
- Access the statements here: Plenary National Statements | Panel 1 Statements | Panel 2 Statements
- Read the news release
Programme updates
UNGA side event: Investing in the radical reorientation of health systems towards primary health care: the best and only choice to achieve universal health coverage
On 21 September, The President of Chile, Dr Tedros, and Dr Barbosa da Silva Jr, Director/ PAHO co-hosted a side event entitled “Investing in the radical reorientation of health systems towards primary health care: the best and only choice to achieve universal health coverage” which took stock of progress made on the 2019 Political Declaration on UHC and highlighted the need for a radical reorientation of health systems towards PHC, as a long-term investment in health systems to accelerate action toward the SDGs. Read the news release. Watch the video recording of the event
International Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana
The International Conference on "Primary health care policy and practice: implementing for better results” marked the 45th anniversary of the Declaration of Alma-Ata and 5th anniversary of the Declaration of Astana on primary health care. The conference, which brought together over 600 health policy-makers and partners from countries, took place in Kazakhstan—the birthplace of the historic primary health care (PHC) declarations on 23 October. It was co-hosted by the Government of Kazakhstan, the WHO and UNICEF.
- Read the global news release and the EURO news release
- Access the Youth-led outcome statement - Primary health care policy and practice: implementing for better results
- Register here to watch the pre-conference technical sessions
UHC Partnership Workshop: Innovate, invest, implement
On 22 October, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) largest platform for international cooperation on universal health coverage (UHC)—the UHC Partnership—hosted a forum for countries to examine the connections between primary health care and UHC, the political dynamics surrounding health system reforms, and success factors that enabled innovation and investment for primary health care (PHC) for better implementation in the immediate future. The event gathered nearly 300 delegates from about 40 countries. Read the news release.
New reports and resources
2023 Universal Health Coverage Global Monitoring Report
On 18 September, in the lead-up to the High-level Meeting on UHC, WHO and the World Bank held a press conference to launch the 2023 Universal Health Coverage Global Monitoring Report. The report, based on the latest available evidence reveals that more than half of the world’s population is still not covered by essential health services and 2 billion people face severe financial hardship when paying out-of-pocket for needed health services and products. WHO was represented by Samira Asma, ADG/DDI and Bruce Aylward, ADG/UHC. Read the news release. Watch the video
Operational framework for building climate resilient health systems
The framework responds to the demand from Member States and partners for guidance on how the health sector and its operational basis in health systems can systematically and effectively address the challenges increasingly presented by climate variability and change.
Primarily intended for public health professionals and health managers, this framework would also help guide decision-makers in other health-determining sectors, such as nutrition, water and sanitation, and emergency management. International development agencies could use this framework to focus investments and country support for public health, health system strengthening and climate change adaptation.
Global Spending on Health: Coping with the Pandemic
The 2023 Global Health Expenditure Report focuses on health spending in 2021, providing new insights into the dynamics of increased global spending on health through the pandemic. Leveraging available detailed expenditure data from a set of countries, the report also provides insights into the strategies employed by healthcare providers to respond to new and evolving demands during the pandemic, and sheds light on how countries coped with the challenges posed by competing priorities between COVID-19 and other diseases. Additionally, the report explores health capital investments, which shape current operational capacity and are essential for forging a path toward effective and resilient health systems.
Updates from the WHO regional offices
From the WHO Americas Region
Renewed focus on Primary Health Care key to resilient, inclusive health systems: PAHO Director
A fundamental change in health priorities with a renewed focus on Primary Health Care is crucial to ensure post-pandemic recovery and achieve global health targets, underscored PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa during an event on the margins of the 78th United Nations General Assembly. Read more.
PAHO calls for strengthening primary care services to provide timely and quality care for people with diabetes
On World Diabetes Day, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) called for strengthening primary health care services for people with diabetes to prevent complications that can cause disability and premature death from the disease. Read more.
Experts discuss key issues in strengthening Primary Health Care to advance health and disease-specific objectives.
Primary Health Care is the most effective and efficient way to provide comprehensive health care, including disease prevention and health promotion strategies, said James Fitzgerald, Director of PAHO Health Systems and Services Department, at the international conference "Primary Health Care Policy and Practice: Implementing for Better Results." Read more
PAHO Director launches Better Care for NCDs: a new initiative to improve diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases through Primary Health Care
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa today launched a new initiative, Better Care for NCDs: Accelerating Actions in Primary Health Care, to expand access to non-communicable disease (NCD) services within Primary Health Care systems. Read more
Experts discuss financing of Primary Health Care in the Region
PAHO organized a virtual seminar on "Financing of Primary Health Care and Integrated Services and Care: Challenges and Opportunities" where experts discussed financial proposals for strengthening Primary Health Care. [Available in Spanish]. Read more
Improving Child and Adolescent Health in the Americas with a Focus on Equity: PAHO Director
Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas, there is a need to prioritize and improve child and adolescent health and development in countries in the region, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said in an event, emphasizing the importance of an approach focused on equity towards this end. Read more
PAHO/WHO mission in Colombia provides technical support for health system reform proposal discussions.
The third PAHO/WHO mission in Colombia has concluded, as part of the commitment to provide technical support for discussions on healthcare system reform. This visit reaffirms the Organization's presence to support Member States in their efforts to improve access to healthcare services. [Available in Spanish] Read more
Key Insights from the 2023 Universal Health Coverage Global Monitoring Report for the Americas Region
The release of the 2023 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Global Monitoring Report, jointly published by the World Health Organization and the World Bank on 18 September 2023, has provided significant insights that are particularly relevant to the Americas Region. Read more
The virtual course on Introduction to the Renewed Essential Public Health Functions is now available in English
PAHO presents the English version of the course "Introduction to the Renewed Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF)." The primary objective of this online course is to introduce the new conceptual framework of EPHF, providing key concepts of its evaluation methodology and strengthening the stewardship of health authorities. Read more
PAHO Events
Regional Forum: Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the World Bank (WB) today launched the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas, a collaboration to boost investment, innovation and implementation of policies and initiatives aimed at transforming health systems in the region with a focus on primary health care. Read the news release
Financing of Primary Health Care and Integrated Services and Care: Challenges and Opportunities
This virtual seminar aimed to promote debate, in the Region, on the PHC financing proposals issued by the Lancet Commission and the resolutions approved by PAHO member countries to strengthen the PHC approach and promote the integration of services and people-centered care from practice with a territorial vision.
Watch the recording and presentations here ´
World Patient Safety Day: Primary Health Care and patient participation in the quality and safety of care
To celebrate World Patient Safety Day PAHO hold a virtual seminar that brought together patients, decision makers, health teams, and academics to discuss and share their experiences and reflections on how to increase patient and family participation in improving the quality and safety of health care.
Watch the recording here
From the WHO European Region
How we can strengthen primary health care to rescue failing health systems
19 October, 2023. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, and Azhar Giniyat, Minister of Health, Kazakhstan, co-authored an opinion piece published on the World Economic Forum.
Health systems across the European Region are in crisis, facing existential challenges from multiple directions. This includes severe and persistent healthcare workforce shortages, which, in turn, are leading to industrial action and disruptions across Europe and Central Asia; a rapidly ageing population placing a huge strain on health systems; backlogs on everything from cancer screenings to surgeries; and, disruptions to medicine and vaccine supply chains in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. All the while the cost of delivering quality healthcare keeps increasing, especially for the most vulnerable, while health workers struggle to make ends meet. READ MORE
International conference celebrating the 45th anniversary of Alma-Ata and 5th anniversary of Astana declarations
On 23 October WHO/Europe, together with UNICEF and the Government of Kazakhstan, co-hosted an international conference to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Alma-Ata and 5th anniversary of Astana declarations on primary health care. The conference "Primary health care policy and practice: implementing for better results" was an official side event of the 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, in October 2023. The programme and Youth-led Outcome Statement of the Conference are available on the event page.
A unique poster exhibition was presented during the International Conference on Primary Health Care – country cases in PHC transformation from 23 countries of all WHO regions. The posters, additional materials, and the recording of all the sessions are available on the online platform of the Conference.
Back to the future: harnessing the power of primary health care to transform our health systems
As the permacrisis of this day and age takes an ever-greater toll on health systems globally, urgently rethinking and prioritizing primary health care (PHC) as an essential pillar of universal health coverage is not an option, but a must. This requires governments and health authorities to refocus and restrategize on what PHC should be; innovate to harness current and future technological advances; and, ultimately, return to and strengthen the human connection between health providers and those they serve. This will bring about better health outcomes, foster individual and community well-being, strengthen earlier access to health services and help restore public confidence in the health sector. READ MORE
New policy paper series on primary health care
Transformation of primary health care in Kazakhstan: moving towards a multidisciplinary model: primary health care policy paper series
Primary health care transformation in Spain: current challenges and opportunities: primary health care policy paper series
Scaling primary health care through networks and other models: primary health care policy paper series
Georgia: moving from policy to actions to strengthen primary health care: primary heath care policy paper series
Population health management in primary health care: a proactive approach to improve health and well-being: primary heath care policy paper series
From the WHO South-East Asia Region
Sri Lanka hosts the Second Annual Meeting of the South-East Asia Regional Forum for Primary Health Care-oriented Health Systems
The Second Annual Meeting of the SEAR PHC Forum was conducted in Sri Lanka from 16 to18 October 2023. Sri Lanka was chosen as the venue considering its long history in advancing PHC so that the participants could learn from the country’s best practices promoting the region-wide culture of shared learning, synergy and action. More than 100 delegates representing Ministries of Health of the Member States of SEA Region, officials from WHO which included representatives from Headquarters, Regional Office for SEA and Country Offices, and partners participated in this three-day event.
From the Western Pacific Region
Seventh Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health (APPFGH)
Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health (APPFGH) is a platform for parliamentarians to exchange ideas, build political will, strengthen capacity and foster collaboration towards sustainable action for health. The seventh meeting, themed, ‘Building primary health care for the future.’ Members of national parliaments and ministers from Cambodia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Viet Nam participated. READ THE NEWS RELEASE
Primary Health Care Regional Action Framework Implementation Workshop for Member States
WPRO held a Member States workshop on the implementation of the Primary Health Care Regional Action Framework. The Member States endorsed the framework in last year’s Regional Committee Meeting. The workshop was held in Manila, in September, with 56 Member State delegates from 22 countries and areas of the Region. The participants, with assistance from advisors, technical experts and partners, deliberated over reorienting their health systems towards Primary Health Care. DOWNLOAD THE FRAMEWORK
Partner highlights
PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS
Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All
Case study: Tajikistan is reforming Primary Health Care to reach Universal Health Coverage
The country is focused on sustainably financing PHC reforms to improve the demand for and quality of PHC services. This includes, incorporating vertical health services under a PHC structure and monitoring for sustained PHC improvements. READ MORE
Case study: Breaking barriers, building bridges: the collaborative effort to reach every child in Nigeria
Nigeria is leveraging COVID-19 and End Polio investments to strengthen PHC systems in order to jointly support national and local government in locating and reaching underserved communities. READ MORE
Visit the PHC webpage for more information on WHO's work to support countries in strengthening their health systems and accelerate the delivery of universal health coverage.
