Primary health care has its
history rooted on the services of the “barefoot” doctors in China. In the
1960s, China developed a health care system which emphasized preventive, rather
than curative, care. China’s program consisted of rural medical services by
“barefoot doctors.” These “doctors” were individuals with
some general
history rooted on the services of the “barefoot” doctors in China. In the
1960s, China developed a health care system which emphasized preventive, rather
than curative, care. China’s program consisted of rural medical services by
“barefoot doctors.” These “doctors” were individuals with
some general
education, most of them in their 20s, who were selected to receive
a three-month to six-month intensive course in medical training. They lived in the
same village in which they worked. Their proximity to patients made it easier
for them to provide quicker help. In 1974, in order to obtain recognition for
the health care model, China began pressing the United Nations for a conference
on primary health care.
In the early 1970s, the
health care approach consisted of so-called vertical programs, on which all
efforts were concentrated on eliminating specific diseases, specially smallpox
and malaria. The only access to health care for many people living in poor
areas of the country consisted of vaccines and spray guns loaded with DDT to
kill mosquitoes as prevention against malaria.
health care approach consisted of so-called vertical programs, on which all
efforts were concentrated on eliminating specific diseases, specially smallpox
and malaria. The only access to health care for many people living in poor
areas of the country consisted of vaccines and spray guns loaded with DDT to
kill mosquitoes as prevention against malaria.
In September 1978,
representatives of 134 nations gathered to propose a plan that would keep as
many people as possible healthy worldwide. During this year, primary health
care emerged, with the ultimate goal of better health for all.
representatives of 134 nations gathered to propose a plan that would keep as
many people as possible healthy worldwide. During this year, primary health
care emerged, with the ultimate goal of better health for all.
On the 6-12 September 1978,
an international conference was held in the city of Alma-Ata, which was the
capital of the Soviet Republic of Kazakhsta. During this conference, the
Declaration of Alma-Ata and the primary health care model emerged. This
declaration states that health is a human right and that attaining this health
should be the primary goal of every government. One of the main themes of this
declaration was the involvement of community health workers and traditional
healers in the new health system.
an international conference was held in the city of Alma-Ata, which was the
capital of the Soviet Republic of Kazakhsta. During this conference, the
Declaration of Alma-Ata and the primary health care model emerged. This
declaration states that health is a human right and that attaining this health
should be the primary goal of every government. One of the main themes of this
declaration was the involvement of community health workers and traditional
healers in the new health system.
a.) Venue of the meeting: Almaty (formerly Alma-Ata), Kazakhstan
b.) Number of countries that were represented: 134
countries
countries
c.) Reasons why after decades of declaration, many
countries are still struggling to implement.
countries are still struggling to implement.
i.
In Africa, the PHC system has been extended into
isolated rural areas through construction of health posts and centers that
offer basic maternal-child health, immunization, nutrition, first aid, and
referral services but implementation of PHC is said to be affected after the
introduction of structural adjustment programs by the World Bank
ii.
It is argued that PHC favoured short-term goals and
targeted health investment, but it did not address the social causes of
disease.
It is argued that PHC favoured short-term goals and
targeted health investment, but it did not address the social causes of
disease.
iii.
The Declaration itself is criticized for being too
“idealistic” and “having an unrealistic time table”.
The Declaration itself is criticized for being too
“idealistic” and “having an unrealistic time table”.
