ELEMENTS OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

ELEMENTS OF P H C

1. Education on health problems and how to prevent and control them

Public education is the first, and one of the most essential, components of primary health care. By educating the public on the prevention and control of health problems, and encouraging participation, the World Health Organization works to keep disease from spreading on a personal level.

2. Locally Endemic Diseases Control

Prevention and control of local diseases is critical to promoting primary health care in a population. Many diseases vary based on location. Taking these diseases into account and initiating measures to prevent them are key factors in efforts to reduce infection rates.

3. EPI (Immunization against major infectious diseases)

By administering global immunizations, WHO works to wipe out major infectious diseases, greatly improving overall health globally

4. Maternal and child healthcare, including family planning

Ensuring comprehensive & adequate health care to children & mothers, sometimes, care for them involves adequate counseling on family planning

5. Essential drugs provision

By providing essential drugs to those who need them, such as antibiotics to those with infections, caregivers can help prevent disease from growing. This makes the community safer, as there is less chance for diseases to be passed along

6. Development of effective food supply and Proper Nutrition

Nutrition is another essential component of health care. WHO works to prevent malnutrition and starvation and to prevent many diseases and problems

7. Appropriate Treatment of common diseases and injuries

By treating disease and injury right away, caregivers can help avoid complications and the expense of later, more extensive, medical treatment.

8. Safe water supply and basic sanitation

A supply of clean, safe drinking water and basic sanitation measures regarding trash, sewage and water cleanliness can significantly improve the health of a population, reducing and even eliminating many preventable diseases

For Learning - Acronym for Elements of PHC

E - Education on Health Problems

L - Locally Endemic Diseases Control

E – EPI (Immunization against Major Infectious Diseases)

M - Maternal and Child Healthcare, Including Family Planning

E - Essential Drugs Provision

N – Nutrition

T - Treatment of Common Diseases and Injuries

S - Safe Water Supply and Basic Sanitation

Significance of Primary Health Care

1. It produces better health for a population at a lower cost.

2. It is not necessarily synonymous with managed care (which restricts medical choice in terms of investigation, referral and treatment).

3. It is front-line and ongoing care that is comprehensive and coordinated.

4. It enhances patient satisfaction

5. It reduces health-care costs.

Ideal Primary Health Care Facility

An accessible, an authentic, standardized, and low cost health care facility that effectively diagnoses and treats majority of case of illnesses occurring in a household.