Role of Primary Care in Health Systems Strengthening Achievements, Challenges, and Suggestions

Abstract

Primary health care (PHC) is critical in working towards universal health coverage and meeting health-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, especially in areas where health resources are limited. Although progress on SDG health targets is inconsistent and slow in many areas of the world, there is substantial research that attention to PHC can improve SDG attainment outcomes and contribute to strengthening health systems. A PHC approach to health systems strengthening can achieve this by maximising the availability and distribution of healthcare focused on meeting individual and community health needs along the continuum of life. This includes health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and treatment coordination, rehabilitation, mental health, and end-of-life care, which is conveniently located within easy access to individual’s everyday environment and without causing significant disruption to day-to-day life. As such, PHC places particular emphasis on integrating primary health practitioners in the wider public health systems, thereby making them the first point of call in seeking non-urgent health information. This, in practice, also allows PHC practitioners to coordinate care and focus on the long-term care of the whole patient and their families. This paper will outline the role of PHC in practically achieving this, as well as the strategic and operational players needed to support community focused comprehensive PHC, with mention to the more recent challenge of responding to a global pandemic while continuing to invest in resilient health systems built on a supported PHC frontline.