Primary health care

Primary health care
This article is about an approach to providing universal health care. For the sector of the health care system, see Primary care.
Primary health care, often abbreviated as PHC, is
"essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and the country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the spirit of self-determination"[1] (Alma Ata international conference definition)
It was a new approach to health care that came into existence following this international conference in Alma Ata in 1978 organized by the World Health Organisation and the UNICEF.
Primary health care was accepted by the member countries of WHO as the key to achieving the goal of Health for all.
As people all over the world people become more and more frustrated at the the inability of today's health systems and services to meet their needs, demand for a renewal of primary health care - and health for all - is increasing.
Contents
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1 Four Essential components of primary health care
2 References
3 See also
4 External links
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[edit] Four Essential components of primary health care
Universal coverage By ensuring sufficient supply of medicines and services; removing financial barriers to access and ensuring social health protection
People-centred care By transforming traditional healthcare delivery models (specialist, procedure or hospital-based) into people-centred primary care networks
Inclusive leadership By shifting from conventional "command-and-control" approaches, increasing participation of all stakeholders and moving from supply-led to demand-led policies and programmes
Health in all policies By ensuring that all relevant sectors (e.g. labour, environment, education) factor health into their agendas.