Primary health care in the Western Pacific

Primary health care (PHC) is essential health care based on methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals, families and communities through their active participation and at an affordable cost. PHC is an integral part of a country’s health system and, ideally, its main focus. It is the first level of contact for individuals, families and communities and enables health care to be delivered as close as possible to where people live and work. PHC is therefore the first element of the care continuum.

2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration on PHC. Countries will gather to reaffirm the PHC principles and recommit to the importance of PHC for the 21st century.