In a rapidly and constantly evolving health landscape, urgent action is needed to address the challenges countries are facing, including an increasing number of COVID variants, commodity shortages and limited access to vaccines. Alongside measures taken to meet the needs of communities, support health workers and distribute COVID-19 vaccines in these circumstances, countries must also diagnose and implement fixes for the broader weaknesses in health systems now exposed by the current pandemic.
Primary health care (PHC) must be central to these efforts: it is crucial to both fighting health crises like pandemics and maintaining the effective delivery of essential and routine health services. Strengthening PHC systems can blunt the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the health and wellbeing of millions, while also preparing countries for future anticipated health challenges to ensure the world can one day fulfill the promise of health for all…more