Primary Care

Primary Care

The concept of primary care came into lime light in 1978 following an international conference in ALMA ATA, USSR. The primary health care approach is based on principles of social equity, nation wide coverage, self reliance, inter sectoral co ordination and implementation of health programs in pursuit of common health goals. This approach is defined as “health by the people, and placing peoples health in peoples hand”.

DEFINITION

Primary health care is Essential health care made universally accessible to individuals and acceptable to them, through full participation and at a cost the community and country can afford.

Levels of Health Care

Health services are usually organized at three levels and each supported by a higher level to which the patient is referred.

Levels of health care

Primary health care – Provided at the PHC, SC (sub centre), home visit

Secondary health care – Provided at Taluk, District hospital.

Tertiary health care – Provided at Super Speciality and medical college hospitals

Primary Health Care

This is the first level of contact between the individual and the health system. A majority of health complaints and problems can be satisfactorily dealt at this level.

Secondary Health Care

This level serves as the first referral service and more complex problems are dealt.

Tertiary Health Care

This level offers super specialty care provided by the regional and central level institution.