The governor of Almaty met with the head of the European Bureau of the World Health Organization

The governor of Almaty Bauyrzhan Baibek and Health Minister of Kazakhstan Yelzhan Birtanov met with the Director of the European Regional Bureau of the World Health Organization Zsuzsanna Jakab.

The sides discussed issues of improving the quality of medical services, as well as preparations for the International Conference on Primary Health Care, which will be held in the southern capital in October this year.

"The role of megacities in the sustainable development of health is constantly growing, as urbanization of the population is taking place. In Europe, for more than 20 years, the "Healthy Cities" initiative has been implemented, which serves as a platform for promoting public health interests. This program has already become international and I am immensely pleased that the first megapolis in Central Asia, to which Almaty has become. This shows the political commitment of the country's leadership to the principles of the World Health Organization," said Zsuzsanna Jakab.

The system of compulsory medical insurance introduced in Kazakhstan, according to her, is another important step towards improving the quality of medical services.

"It was in Almaty 40 years ago that the International Declaration of Primary Health Care was adopted. I am sure that the upcoming anniversary conference will be held at the highest level. It will bring together leading experts and will be truly global. Its conduct will serve not only the transfer of knowledge, but also an additional economic stimulus," added the director of the European Regional Bureau of the World Health Organization.

In 2015, the world's first office of the World Health Organization for primary health care was opened in Almaty. Thus, Kazakhstan became the center of the World Health Organization for primary health care for the European Region. The office in Almaty is called upon to play a leading role in the development of primary health care, both globally and throughout the WHO European Region, which includes 54 countries.