Akim of Almaty Erbolat Dossaev met with WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus

During the meeting with the Director General of the World Health Organization Tedros Ghebreyesus, issues of strengthening cooperation in the field of healthcare, including countering COVID-19, training specialists and attracting new technologies were discussed. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan Azhar Giniyat.

During the discussions, it was noted that the epidemiological situation in Almaty remains stable, the city is located in the "green" zone, provided with the necessary resources to combat coronavirus infection and follows WHO recommendations. The head of the city Erbolat Dossaev stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic revealed weaknesses in the city's healthcare system.

"The pandemic has shown that, first of all, it is necessary to improve the quality of primary health care (PHC). To do this, it is planned to modernize and develop medical institutions providing PHC, strengthen human resources, implement best practices and WHO recommendations. The next 2-3 years are of critical importance for the reform of the city's healthcare system," the akim of Almaty said.

In turn, the head of the World Health Organization Tedros Ghebreyesus supported the head of the city and expressed WHO's readiness for active cooperation.

"WHO is focused on the primary health care center, which will give the world many opportunities. Next year, a high-level meeting on universal health insurance coverage will be held in New York. We wanted Kazakhstan to work with us and take a leading role in aspects of primary health care," Tedros Ghebreyesus said.

The parties also agreed to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the geographically remote WHO PHC regional office operating in Almaty.

The head of the city noted that he is extremely interested in using progressive international experience and best practices for the development of the healthcare sector in Almaty.