Primary Health Care – Historical Failure or Innovation Seedling for future healthcare systems?

Abstract

The Declaration of Alma Ata (1978) stipulated “Primary Health Care” (PHC) as the fundamental paradigm of health care systems world-wide. PHC is primarily based on community based health care (CBHC) with a high degree of participation of all stakeholders. This concept was seen as fundamental for national health systems and for the improvement of common utility. However, its implementation was hampered by a number of factors, in particular self-interests of dominant stakeholders, poor perception of the health care crisis and the costs of implementing PHC. However, the new millennium makes clear that PHC is an innovation with a potential to to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.