Page 80 - كتاب سنة اولى

Primary health care
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Introduction

Primary health care shifts the emphasis of health care to the

people themselves and their needs, reinforcing and strengthening their

own capacity to shape their lives.

Definition of primary health care:

Essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound

and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally

accessible to individuals and families in the community through

their full participation and at a cost that the community and

country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development

in the spirit of self reliance and self determination.

Clarification of key words in the definition:

 Essential health care: Basically, all the elements mentioned in the

Alma Atla definition of PHC.

 Practical methods: that is simple to use, effective, appropriate

and acceptable for setting and is readily available.

 Scientifically sound: that are proven safe and beneficial to the

society.

 Socially acceptable: that is accepted by the people and at the

same time are scientifically sound and support appropriate

traditional health practices.

 Universally accessible: Accessible in terms of geographic location,

economical, affordable by all, available when need to all social

groups.

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