What is Primary Health Care?

Primary Health Care Explained

Primary health care (PHC) serves as the initial point of interaction between individuals and the health care system. It helps ensure that essential health services are accessible, affordable, and available to all equally. PHC includes services aimed at prevention, promotion, cure, and rehabilitation.

However, despite its pivotal role, many health systems still underinvest in primary health care, resulting in fragmented services and unequal access. Thus, it is essential to understand the role and importance of PHC in the health care industry.

Read ahead to learn what primary health care consists of and why it is crucial.

What are the Key Components of Primary Health Care?

Primary health care is not limited to treating minor illnesses. It includes key components of PHC, which are discussed in the table below:

Why is Primary Health Care Important?

Primary health care strengthens the overall health system in multiple ways, such as:

1. Accessibility : Most PHC services are provided at community or local health facilities, making them easily accessible.
2. Affordability : It lowers the expenses people pay out of their pocket because it reduces the need for emergency or specialty care.
3. Continuity of Care : Patients often build long-term relationships with their primary care providers, improving overall care quality.
4. Equity : It guarantees that people from marginalized groups can obtain necessary health care.
5. Cost-Effectiveness : The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that empowered PHC can handle 80% of a person’s health concerns, which helps keep healthcare costs low.

How Does Primary Health Care Differ from Secondary and Tertiary Care?

The difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary health care lies in their scope, specialisation, and complexity of services, which is discussed in the table below:

What are the Challenges in Implementing Primary Health Care?

Implementing Primary Health Care (PHC) comes with several challenges that affect accessibility, efficiency, and quality of services. Here are some of the key obstacles:

1. Workforce Shortages

• A shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, particularly in rural regions.
• High workload and burnout among primary care providers.

2. Infrastructure Limitations

• Inadequate health centers, medical equipment, and technology.
• Poor transportation and connectivity make access difficult.

3. Financial Constraints

• Insufficient government funding for PHC programs.
• High out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

4. Health Education Gaps

• Limited awareness about preventive care and healthy practices.
• Misinformation and cultural barriers affecting healthcare decisions.

5. Governance and Policy Issues

• Weak healthcare policies and inconsistent implementation.
• Lack of coordination between the government and the private sector.

6. Disease Burden and Emerging Health Threat

• Rising cases of non-communicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension)
• Challenges in handling pandemics and infectious diseases.

What are the Global Key Commitments to Strengthen Primary Health Care?

Improving primary health care (PHC) has been given new impetus through measures like the Declaration of Astana, which was accepted in 2018. It was made to stress the role of PHC in reaching universal health coverage.

Listed below are the key commitments to strengthen PHC:

1. Political Support: Governments worldwide pledged to prioritize PHC in health policies.
2. Sustainable Health Systems: Enhancing infrastructure and increasing financial support for primary health care services.
3. Community Empowerment: Encouraging local participation in healthcare decisions.
4. Global Collaboration: Aligning international efforts to support national health strategies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) supports PHC as the main branch of every healthcare system, highlighting its functions in disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care. Despite progress, challenges remain, including funding gaps, workforce shortages, and policy implementation issues.

Primary health care forms the foundation of a resilient and efficient healthcare system. It ensures that individuals receive the proper care at the right time and cost.

By integrating PHC with insurance benefits, such as those offered by Star Health Insurance, individuals can better manage their health and reduce long-term medical expenses.