Renewing the -for-all strategy: Elaboration of a Policy for equity and health consultation document

Since the International Conference on Primary Health Care, held at Alma-Ata in 1978, the call of health for all by the Year 2000 through primary health care, has provided a motivational and unifying concept in international health development and made an important contribution to the achievements of better health which have occurred around the world: increased life expectancy, declining infant mortality and improved access to basic health services. Through the association with the year 2000, "health for all" served as an aspiration goal for all countries. However, as the target date approaches, it can now be seen as limiting, may be misunderstood and, above all, proposes a time frame which is not universally attainable. To cite just a few examples of the remaining challenges: in 53 countries, representing 13 of the world's population, average life expectancy at birth is less than 60 years, there are wide variations in infant mortality between countries;and maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa is three times greater than in less developed countries as a whole. There will not be health for all until these gaps are filled, and the efforts of all WHO Member States to achieve the highest possible level of health for their entire populations should not be abated. As new political, economic, social, cultural and environmental equilibrium are appearing in the world, it is time to reinvigorate the health-for-all strategy and to update plans of actions in individual countries.