AlmaAtaErklärung

The Alma-Ata Declaration, formally known as the Declaration of Alma-Ata, was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care held in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan (then part of the Soviet Union) in September 1978. This landmark document, proclaimed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, championed the concept of primary health care as the fundamental approach to achieving "health for all."

The declaration defined primary health care as essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound, and socially acceptable methods and technology, made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and country can afford. It emphasized that primary health care is the first level of contact of individuals, families, and communities with the national health system, bringing health care as close as possible to where people live and work.

Key principles outlined in the Alma-Ata Declaration included equity, community participation, intersectoral collaboration, and the recognition of health as a fundamental human right. It stressed the importance of addressing social, economic, and environmental determinants of health, not just medical interventions. The declaration called for a renewed commitment from governments and international organizations to invest in and strengthen primary health care systems worldwide. While its ideals have faced challenges in implementation, the Alma-Ata Declaration remains a pivotal document in global health, shaping strategies and discussions around accessible and equitable healthcare for decades.