http://www.who.int/social_determinants/links/events/wha2006/en/index.html

WHO called to return to Alma-Ata Declaration

Dr Serag challenged WHO to return to the principles of the Alma Ata
Declaration

"Managing the Politics of Equity and Social Determinants of Health" - the
title of the informal briefing the Commission held at the 59th World Health
Assembly. The briefing drew sharper focus on the necessity of major health
stakeholders to step up action on the social causes of ill-health.
High-level policy makers, civil society members and WHO staff attended the
briefing, proclaimed as a "historical moment" by a floor delegate. Among
the attendees was Dr Halfdan Mahler considered to be the father of the Alma
Ata Declaration and former WHO Director-General from 1973 to 1988.

"He gave us the dream. He launched new ideas and made us realize that it
was possible to achieve health for everybody," Commissioner, Dr Giovanni
Berlinguer noted. Dr Berlinguer outlined the evolution of global health
politics over the past three decades and lamented the impact of changes in
the political economy which saw public health recoil under the shadow of
major financial institutions. He told delegates that the setting up of the
Commission on Social Determinants of Health was an opportunity to add
momentum to a global movement that wanted to see health inequalities
addressed.

Bolivia's Health Minister Dr Nila Heredia pointed out her country's
challenges to address inequalities in health, stating the low health budget
and historical factors as some of the major obstacles (see her presentation
below). She mentioned poverty, poor housing and low levels of education,
particularly among women, as some of the key social determinants of health
in Bolivia. The government was exploring several programs to address health
inequalities which included a "zero malnutrition" program and the promotion
of a social security system that would allow segments of society to gain
free access to health.

Civil society representative, Dr Hani Serag challenged WHO and the
Commission to address the "profound determinants such as violence, wars,
and neo-liberal policies" and to allow the different components of the
Commission to work independently. Dr Serag further challenged WHO to return
to the principles of the Alma-Ata Declaration (see below).

Commissioner Dr Ndioro Ndiaye stressed the importance of including sectors
outside the health domain to be part of the developing healthy societies:
"If we do not look at the intersectoral angle, that health is not just a
medical problem … we will not succeed." The Commission already engages
different ministries and sectors outside health to work collaboratively on
social determinants of health and equity.


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