Primary health care (PHC) refers to basic and accessible health services provided in communities, with a focus on preventive care, health education, and addressing the broader social determinants of health. The goals of PHC include ensuring universal access to essential services, reducing health disparities, and providing comprehensive and integrated care for common illnesses, maternal and child health needs, immunizations, and management of chronic conditions like diabetes. PHC aims to empower communities to take ownership of their health by meeting needs across the lifespan through multidisciplinary policies and actions.

1. Community Health
Primary Health Care

2. Introduction
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE The history of primary healthcare. From the small efforts of various groups to
promote accessible and affordable health to all, the first significant step in the history of primary
healthcare was the World Health Organization (WHO)'s “Health for all by the year 2000” initiative of
1977 which promoted UHC.
Primary health care (PHC) refers to a broad range of health services provided by medical professionals
in the community. This means universal health care is accessible to all individuals and families in a
community.
Goals for Primary health care
Ensuring universal access to essential healthcare services
Addressing health disparities and promoting health equity
Focusing on preventive measures and health education
Providing care that is community-oriented and culturally sensitive
Offering comprehensive and integrated healthcare services
Reducing morbidity and mortality from prevalent diseases
Promoting maternal and child health, including prenatal care
Supporting family planning and reproductive health services
Providing immunizations and vaccinations
Managing non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension

3. Cont'd
• Ensuring access to essential medications
• Providing care for common infections and
illnesses.
• Ensuring access to reproductive health services
• Offering services for refugees and displaced
populations
• Addressing environmental health issues
• Supporting health education in schools
• Promoting healthy aging and geriatric care

4. Objectives of Primary Health Care
• Integrated health services to meet people’s
health needs throughout their lives
• Addressing the broader determinants of health
through multispectral policy and action
• Empowering individuals, families and
communities to take charge of their own health.
• Providing a wider coverage of health care.
• Preventing social disparities in health care
• Organizing health services to meet health needs.