Astana and Alma-Ata: making a commitment to primary health care across 40 years

25 October 2018

On 25–26 October 2018, delegates from around the world gathered in Astana, Kazakhstan, to recommit to strengthening primary health care as a critical foundation for achieving universal health coverage. The Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana took place 40 years after the Declaration of Alma-Ata was adopted by delegates at the 1978 Alma-Ata Conference. Here is a look at the two conferences – now and then.

Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan

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Delegates at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care, held in Astana, Kazakhstan on 25–26 October 2018, recommitted to strengthening primary health care by adopting the Declaration of Astana. Dr Yelzhan Birtanov, Minister of Health of Kazakhstan, announces the adoption on the first day of the conference.

Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan

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Youth representatives hold aloft a poster of the newly adopted Declaration of Astana.

Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan

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A Walk the Talk event held just prior to the opening of the Global Conference on Primary Health Care highlighted the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity. It was a continuation of the event first launched at the 71st World Health Assembly.

Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan

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WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab speak to international journalists during a press conference at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care.

Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan

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Youth representatives at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana meet with WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Dr Yelzhan Birtanov, Minister of Health of Kazakhstan.

Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan

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Panellists on stage at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana.

Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan

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Delegates at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana.

Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan

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Interpreters at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana.

KazNMU

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Interpreters at the Alma-Ata Conference in 1978.

WHO

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Kazakhstan welcomed delegates from around the world for the Alma-Ata Conference in 1978.

WHO

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The Conference was held at the Palace of Lenin, now the Palace of the Republic, in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, in 1978.

WHO

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Before the 1978 Conference, delegates made field visits to different health institutions in Kazakhstan.

WHO

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Delegations from 134 countries and 67 partner organizations took part in the Alma-Ata Conference in 1978.

PAHO/WHO

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Dr Halfdan Mahler, WHO Director-General at the time of the 1978 Alma-Ata Conference on primary health care, at the podium of the Palace of Lenin with United States Senator Edward Kennedy at his side.

WHO

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Behind the scenes at the Alma-Ata Conference in 1978.

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