Primary healthcare needs sharp focus

The G20 summit hosted in New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was certainly an opportune moment to deliberate upon and discuss key policy matters. With a vision of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam (world is one) India discussed various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access with global leaders.

- PRIYANKA YADAV

The health sector being a crucial arena of discussion at G20, Prime Minister Modi launched the sixth edition of One Earth and One Health Advantage Healthcare India 2023, where he reinstated India's vision and commitment towards universal health coverage not just for humans but for their entire ecosystem. This commitment echoed India's G20 presidency theme 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'.

Well-being, health for all and universal health coverage have taken primacy especially after Covid-19. India's commitment is reflected in its national health policies, various other health schemes, measures and its association with the international organisations working on similar lines.

However universal health coverage is incomplete without ensuring the efficient working and presence of a well equipped primary health care centre. PHCs form the base of the health care system succeeded by secondary and tertiary health care structures. They function to provide basic health services of preventive, promotive and curative nature to the community and in India as per the recommendation of the Bhore Committee, 1946, each primary health care centre is supposed to cater to a population of 30,000.

The OECD report on realising the potential of primary health care released in 2002 outlined the important role of primary health care in delivery of health services in the community and its impact on the population's health. It suggested that continuous and comprehensive care provided by the primary health care team can provide effective health education and prevention interventions based on the medical and social needs of patients. This helps tackle risk factors and other social determinants of health, which in turn improves equity of health outcomes.