According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Primary Health Care (PHC) is a whole-of-society approach to effectively organize and strengthen national health systems to bring services for health and wellbeing closer to communities. It is all about making sure everyone, no matter who they are or how old they are, can be as healthy as possible. PHC broadly looks at health, taking into account not just physical health, but mental and social health too. It aims to provide care that's easy to access and fits into people's everyday lives.
Did you know that the idea of PHC has been around for a long time? Read on for an interesting journey into the past!
Before modern medicine, healthcare looked very different from what we are used to today. Instead of hospitals and doctors' offices, people relied on traditional healers, herbal remedies, and even ‘magical’ practices to maintain their health. These healers were often community members with specialized knowledge of herbalism, spiritual healing, and rituals. They treated a wide range of ailments, from common illnesses to combat wounds, using natural remedies derived from plants and other sources found in their environment. They believed that being healthy wasn't just about not being sick, but about feeling good in body, mind, and spirit. These ancient practices laid the groundwork for what we now know as Primary Health Care.
Additionally, they incorporated ceremonies and rituals into their healing practices, recognizing the importance of addressing not just the physical symptoms of illness, but also the spiritual and emotional well-being of the individual. Despite the differences in methods, these traditional healers shared a common focus on holistic care, aiming to promote overall well-being by considering the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit which is reflected in the motivation of the World Health Organisation.
Moving forward to the Classical Period of Ancient Greece (480–323 BCE), there were significant advancements in the field of medicine. Scholars like Hippocrates made groundbreaking contributions by emphasizing natural approaches to healing and recognizing the importance of environmental and social factors in maintaining good health. They believed that a person's well-being was deeply connected to their community and surroundings, and they sought to understand and address these connections in their medical practices. Asclepius, the Greek God of Medicine, in particular, was renowned for his healing temples, where patients sought treatment through a combination of medical care, spiritual rituals, and therapeutic activities such as music and theatre. This holistic approach to healthcare emphasized not only the physical treatment of illnesses but also the importance of mental and emotional well-being in the healing process.
The Industrial Revolution (1760-1840) brought about even more significant changes to the field of healthcare. With advancements in science and technology, scientists began to develop vaccines to prevent diseases such as smallpox and discovered the microscopic bacteria responsible for causing illnesses. People like Florence Nightingale and Joseph Lister revolutionized nursing and surgical practices, implementing hygiene measures and antiseptic techniques to reduce the risk of infections and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, many of the medicines we use today have their origins in traditional herbal remedies that have been passed down through generations. These developments marked a transformative period in healthcare, paving the way for modern medical practices and interventions that continue to shape healthcare delivery today.
In 1978, the Alma-Ata statement marked a big moment for PHC. It emphasized the importance of including traditional medicine in healthcare and making sure everyone has access to basic healthcare services. Today, communities around the world, like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia, are blending traditional and modern healthcare to provide culturally sensitive care.
Today, the WHO recognizes the central role of primary health care for achieving health and well-being for all, at all ages. It is widely regarded as the most inclusive, equitable and cost-effective way to achieve universal health coverage. India has also integrated PHC into its efforts for a healthier population by moving toward universal health coverage through the Ayushman Bharat programme. Launched in 2018, the programme includes the health insurance component, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna (PM-JAY). PHC is also key to strengthening the resilience of health systems to prepare for, respond to and recover from shocks and crises.
At Swasti, our initiatives help communities, governments and partners to shape safer, more secure, healthier and prosperous lives across the world. We understand that challenges to wellbeing are not just limited to health; but are also affected by personal, social, economic and environmental factors. These factors invariably determine the health outcomes of people and communities. Hence, our models address the relationships between these factors, employ a multitude of approaches, focus on outcomes and scale with quality. Click here to read more about our work in the domain of primary health care! - https://swasti.org/Our_work?id=2
The way PHC is understood and administered is always changing to meet the needs of different communities. And today, it is not just about treating illnesses anymore; it's about supporting people, preventing diseases, and making sure everyone is able to access the care they need.
Editors: Kamalkoli Majumdar & Siddharth Chaitanya
