Alma-Ata’s agenda is revisited in Astana

At a UN high-level meeting, governments set targets to expand TB prevention and care.

The political declaration urged better access to diagnosis and treatment.

Health leaders discussed funding, research and accountability for ending TB.

The 2018 pledges were policy commitments, not proof that tuberculosis had ended.

Governments endorsed a declaration committing to stronger primary health care.

Delegates placed community-based primary care at the centre of health-system plans.

The conference emphasized equity, access and cooperation across sectors.

Children began receiving the RTS,S vaccine through a routine immunization pilot.

The pilot tested how to provide a new prevention tool through existing health services.

RTS,S supplemented other preventive measures such as insecticide-treated nets.