PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BY WILFRED ALEXANDER

Primary health care is a fundamental approach to healthcare that focuses on the essential
healthcare needs of individuals, families, and communities. It is the first level of contact
individuals have with the healthcare system and plays a crucial role in promoting health,
preventing illness, and managing chronic conditions.

The primary goal of primary health care is to provide comprehensive, accessible, and
equitable healthcare services to all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status. It
emphasizes the importance of addressing the broader determinants of health, such as social,
economic, and environmental factors, in addition to medical care.

Key principles of primary health care include accessibility, community participation, health
promotion, intersectoral collaboration, and appropriate technology. It aims to ensure that
healthcare services are readily available, affordable, and culturally appropriate for all
individuals. Community participation is encouraged to empower individuals and communities
to take ownership of their health.

Health promotion is a vital component of primary health care, focusing on education,

prevention, and health literacy to empower individuals to make informed decisions about
their health. Intersectoral collaboration involves working across various sectors such as
education, housing, and social services to address the underlying determinants of health.

Primary health care also emphasizes the use of appropriate technology that is affordable,
feasible, and culturally acceptable to improve health outcomes. It encompasses a range of
services, including preventive care, health education, diagnosis and treatment of common
illnesses, management of chronic conditions, and coordination of care with other healthcare
providers.

In summary, primary health care is a comprehensive and holistic approach to healthcare that
addresses the health needs of individuals, families, and communities. By focusing on
accessibility, community participation, health promotion, intersectoral collaboration, and
appropriate technology, primary health care plays a pivotal role in improving overall health
outcomes and reducing health inequities.