The World Health Assembly (WHA) is one of the largest gatherings that brings stakeholders from all Member States, partner organisations and civil societies from around the world to discuss and agree on global health policies of concern. It is convened annually by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva. At this year’s WHA79, the UK Faculty of Public Health was represented by the authors.
The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) is the leading professional body for public health that sets standards and maintain quality of public health training in the UK. It was invited to co-host the official side events on Public Health and Primary Health care, as part of the launch of the new Public Health / Primary Health Care (PH/PHC) partnership in Africa.
The objectives of our team at the WHA79 were to (1) contribute to the launch of the new PH/PHC Partnership in Africa, (2) support the public health agenda aimed at improving global health and reducing health inequalities within countries and between countries, particularly in Africa; (3) establish relationship with relevant stakeholders with mutual interests; and (4) learn lessons to inform public health practice. This article shares perspectives on the above objectives.
Launch of the New Public Health and Primary Health Care Partnership
There were two WHA side events that the team attended: (1) the Ministerial WHA side event for Africa and Global PH/PHC in which the role of the FPH in the UK was presented; and (2) the follow up event that was aimed at creating some operational partnerships between public health organisations and the FPH to promote integrated PH/PHC.
Ministerial WHA side event for Africa and Global PH/PHC was attended by the Ministers of Health from South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstani and Pakistan, partners including Africa CDC, Global Fund, East Central and Southern Africa (ECSA), UNICEF, and more than 100 delegates from countries and organizations. Stakeholders at this event articulated the case for an integrated public health system and primary health care (PHC) to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) for all. Our team was able to highlight the importance of equity and how integration of public health and primary health care can strengthen life-course model. The roles of the Faculty of Public Health in setting professional standards for public health training; public health workforce development; and public health advocacy and policy were reiterated.
One of the main outcomes of the WHA79 Side Events was the adoption of a communique on Africa and Global Public Health Security and Primary Health Care. The Communique committed member states and key stakeholders to:
- Prioritize Public Health and Primary Health Care
- Health System Strengthening
- Increase and Sustain National Health Financing
- Advance Universal Health Equity and Solidarity
- Promote National Health Security and Sovereignty
- Strengthen Health Professional workers, Leadership and capacity
- Build an Africa and Global Coalition for Public Health and Primary Health Care
- Reposition health and strategic development investment
At the second side event of the WHA79, our team presented a model of integrated primary health care, which incorporates both public health and clinical services; public health career pathways in the UK for public health specialists; and how competency-based public health training is undertaken using the Faculty of Public Health curriculum. Copies of the presentations are available here:
- About the UK Faculty of Public Health Competency-based Training
- Integrated Primary Health Care iPHC for developing counties: a practice approach
- UK Faculty of Public Health: Primary Health Career Pathways, Continuing Professional Development, Memorandum of Understanding with WHO
WHO and UNICEF (2018) defined primary health care as: a whole-of-society approach to health that aims to ensure the highest possible level of health and well-being and their equitable distribution …” see detail here. While the Faculty of Public Health defines public health as: the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organised efforts of society (What is Public Health? - FPH - Faculty of Public Health).
Building Network
The WHA79 Events enabled our team to further our links with WHO both especially regarding the WHO Roadmap MOU on public health workforce (Health workforce), establish network with other organisations for potential future partnerships with the Faculty of Public Health. They include institutions in Africa such as Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC), East Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA), World Federation on Public Health Associations, (WFPHA), public health associations and foundations. The Events also was opportunity to meet old and new colleagues.
Lessons Learned
1. Primary Health Care is still relevant and essential: Primary health care was first adopted as Declaration of Alma-Ata, Kazakshtan, USSR, 6-12 September 1978 (Microsoft Word - almaata_declaration_en.doc). Since then, many countries struggled to fully realise the aspiration contained in the declaration. However, there is still ambition among nations that have reaffirmed the relevance and importance of achieving universal health coverage through primary health care in the Declaration of Astana, Kazakhstan, 25-26 October 2018 (gcphc-declaration.pdf). The integration of public health and primary health care as affirmed at the WHA79 official Side Events in May 2026 was an important public health policy to promote global health. The role of the Faculty of Public Health in setting standards and training public health workforce is crucial in providing global leadership in this space.
2. Neighbourhood Health Centres versus Primary Health Care: In England, the new Neighbourhood Health Centres initiative introduced by the UK Government might learn about the integration of public health and primary health care as affirmed at the WHA79.
3. Peace is a wider determinant of health: Peace is a fundamental social determinant of health, yet this has not featured prominently in public health practice nor in the Faculty of Public Health Curriculum, unlike climate change, poverty, housing, etc. The WHA79 had a dedicated session on “Promoting Peace and Health: Public Health’s Role”. This is something that the Faculty of Public Health and public health practitioners need to think more about how they can play their role in promoting a peaceful world. The Faculty will need to offer guidance to its members on this “sensitive” and yet “important” area.
