Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev proposed to create a coalition of countries on primary health care with
the support of WHO. The association will make it possible to promote the
principles of prevention and health protection as well as to develop joint
recommendations. It is worth reminding that today a plenary session of the
Global Conference on Primary Health Care, dedicated to the 45th anniversary of
the Alma-Ata Declaration and the fifth anniversary of the Astana Declaration, was
held in the city of Astana. Those documents played a major role in improving
the international healthcare system. Furthermore, the Alma-Ata Declaration has inspired
many countries to take action to improve people’s health, recognizing it as a
fundamental human right.
“The Alma-Ata Declaration also
played a pivotal role in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, as well
as increasing life expectancy in many countries. By now, many states have built
national healthcare systems driven at the core by primary healthcare. This was
reconfirmed five years ago in the Astana Declaration,” said the Head of State.
It is impossible to overestimate
the importance of primary health care, which allows for early detection of
epidemics. The Kazakh President emphasized that public health organizations
around the world had demonstrated their resilience and adaptability, and expressed
his gratitude to all health workers for their contribution to humanity’s fight
against COVID-19. Separately, the Head of State spoke about the development of
the healthcare system in Kazakhstan, particularly, its digitalization.
Telemedicine and remote monitoring increase access to medical care, especially
for those living in remote areas.
“The entire child population of
the country is covered by preventive medical examinations. There are youth
health centers in almost every major settlement. Moreover, every year about
three million adults undergo screenings and professional examinations. To
provide village residents with equal opportunities to receive medical services,
we have been carrying out large-scale reforms. Since 2018 the number of primary
care village clinics has grown threefold,” added the Kazakh President.
President Tokayev meets with WHO
head Tedros Ghebreyesus
The Head of State discussed
cooperation with the World Health Organization with its Director-General Tedros
Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge. President
Tokayev underscored Kazakhstan’s active efforts to strengthen its healthcare
system for post-pandemic recovery and to achieve the main UN goals in the field
of public health. The meeting also addressed matters related to cooperation
with the WHO within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the
implementation of a roadmap to support health and well-being in Central Asia
for 2022–2025.
