Primary health care and health care reform

Primary health care (PHC) is a philosophy or approach to health care whereby health is acknowledged as a fundamental right, as well as an individual and collective responsibility. This approach requires that health care addresses the causes of poor health, not only its symptoms. The focus is on care for the person, not simply treatment of her or his health condition. Most health care systems have been developed to respond to illness, rather than to create and support wellness. Affordable, sustainable health care appropriate to local need, ensuring social justice, equity, community participation and promoting health, is the goal of PHC. For this to be truly achieved, change in health care systems must occur.