Historic Resolution on Social Participation in Primary Health Care Approved at World Health Assembly - World Patients Alliance

Historic Resolution on Social Participation in Primary Health Care Approved at World Health Assembly

Geneva, Switzerland (May 29) – In a landmark move, Member States have approved the first-ever resolution on social participation in national health planning and implementation during the Seventy-Seventh World Health Assembly. This significant resolution empowers people, communities, and civil society to have a more substantial influence on health decisions that impact their well-being.

The resolution aims to address health inequities and the erosion of trust in health systems, issues that are increasingly critical in the face of global challenges such as climate change, conflicts, and pandemics. Evidence highlights the transformative potential of social participation to build trust, advance equity, and align healthcare with the lived experiences of people, especially those in vulnerable and marginalized communities.

By promoting two-way dialogues between governments and their citizens, the resolution seeks to create health policies, strategies, and services that are more responsive to the needs of the people. Regular and sustained national participatory mechanisms, including dialogues, consultations, and policies reflecting the recommendations from these processes, are central to the resolution’s implementation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) will support Member States in implementing this resolution through several initiatives:

• Developing technical guidance and operational tools.

• Providing capacity-building support.

• Documenting and sharing country experiences.

WHO will report progress on the resolution’s implementation to the Health Assembly in 2026, 2028, and 2030.

The World Patients Alliance (WPA) welcomes this resolution as a pivotal step towards inclusive and patient-centered healthcare. WPA supports efforts to ensure that patients and communities are integral to the decision-making processes that shape their health outcomes.

For more information on this resolution, visit:

• A77/A/CONF./3: Social Participation for Universal Health Coverage, Health, and Well-being

• A77/A/CONF./3 Add.1: Financial and Administrative Implications for the Secretariat of Resolutions Proposed for Adoption by the Health Assembly

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