Astana Declaration+

This is a personal response from Neil Pakenham-Walsh (HIFA Coordinator) to the public call for comments on the draft Declaration of the Second International Conference on Primary Health Care ('Almaty 2.0'): Towards Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals 'In 2018, 40 years after the Declaration of Alma-Ata, Member States, people, civil society and international development partners will commit to strengthening primary health care to achieve universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. Our collective commitment and action are required in order to achieve this goal. In this inclusive spirit, we hope you will share your comments on the new Declaration on primary health care. Following this period of public consultation, the Declaration will be reviewed by the International Advisory Group on Primary Health Care for Universal Health Coverage on April 26-27. An updated draft Declaration will then undergo an informal consultation process with Member States in Geneva, Switzerland starting in May. The public call for comments will be open until 12h midnight CEST on April 23, 2018.'

This response represents the personal views of Neil Pakenham-Walsh and is not necessarily representative of the HIFA Almaty 2.0 working group or the HIFA community. Neil Pakenham-Walsh thanks Geoff Royston for permission to reproduce parts of his submission. 

With thanks to Shabina Hussainn, USA. 

Shabina Hussain is an independent global health consultant and is based in the USA. Professional interests: Maternal & Child Health, Family Planning, Reproductive & Sexual Health, women's rights, survival of girl child, poverty eradication, Prevention of Infectious diseases.