WHAT IS PRIMARY HEALTHCARE?
Primary healthcare (PHC) is the first point of contact for individuals and families in a continuous healthcare process in the living and working community, which entails the provision of accessible, comprehensive, continuing, co-ordinated and person-centred care. A well-established and overarching PHC system routinely manages, maintains and enhances the health of the population at the community level, forms the foundation and portal of the pyramid of healthcare services, and serves as a gateway to specialised secondary and tertiary healthcare in hospital and institution settings. It is recognised as the most essential component in a well-functioning healthcare system.
