Strengthening and investing in primary health care (PHC) has long been recognized as a key to achieving health for all. PHC can meet 90% of a population’s health demands. A strong PHC system not only delivers high-quality care and services, it also builds trust with families and communities to promote health and well-being, as well as treatment when necessary. Fundamentally, when PHC works, people can get the care they need to stay healthy. But the mere presence of a PHC system is not enough. Financial barriers, infrastructure problems, stigma and mistrust can stand in the way. Access must be complemented by quality and investment. Achieving health for all requires partnerships across political, health, economic and other sectors.
The PHC Strategy Group advocates to strengthen PHC systems, by promoting health equity and access to high-quality, essential health services on the road to achieving universal health coverage (UHC).