In September 1978,
representatives of many 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 many 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
