Objectives
• At the end of the session you should be able to:
1. Explain what PHC is.
2. List and explain the 8 elements of PHC.
3. List and explain 6 principles of PHC.
What is PHC?
• PHC is a whole-of-society approach to health that aims to bring
essential health services, health promotion, disease prevention and
health-supporting actions as close as possible to where people live,
work, learn and worship.
Has 3 components
1. Integrated health services
with an emphasis on primary
care and public health
functions: promotive,
protective, preventive,
curative, rehabilitative and
palliative care throughout the
life course
2. Multisectoral policy and
action: systematically
addressing the broader
determinants of health
(including social, economic
and environmental factors, as
well as individual
characteristics and behaviour)
through evidence-informed
policies and actions across all
sectors;
3. Empowered people and
communities: empowering
individuals, families and
communities to optimize their
health, as advocates of policies
that promote and protect
health and well-being, as co
developers of health and social
services, and as self-carers and
caregivers
Eight (8) elements of PHC
1. E-Education concerning prevailing health problems and the methods of
identifying, preventing, and controlling them.
2. L– Locally endemic disease prevention and control.
3. E–An expanded program of immunization against major infectious diseases.
4. M–Maternal and child health care including family planning.
5. E– Essential drugs arrangement.
6. N–Nutritional food supplement, an adequate supply of safe and basic
nutrition.
7. T– Treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases and the
promotion of mental health.
8. S– Safe water and sanitation.
Extended Elements in the 21st Century:
1. Expended options of immunizations.
2. Reproductive health needs.
3. Provision of essential technologies for health.
4. Health
promotion.
5. Prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.
6. Food safety and the provision of selected food supplements.
Six Principles of Primary Health Care (PHC):
1. Universal access to health care services for all people, regardless of
income or social status;
2. Equitable distribution of health resources and services, so that
everyone has an equal chance to enjoy good health;
3. A focus on preventive measures to keep people healthy, rather than
simply treating them when they fall ill;
Six Principles of Primary Health Care (PHC)
continued
4. A community-based approach to health care, with an emphasis on
local solutions to local problems;
5. A recognition that good health is a fundamental human right, not a
privilege reserved for the wealthy
6. The involvement of people in their own health care, including
decisions about treatment and service delivery
Objectives
• At the end of the session you should be able to:
1. Explain what PHC is.
2. List and explain the 8 elements of PHC.
3. List and explain 6 principles of PHC.
What is PHC?
• PHC is a whole-of-society approach to health that aims to bring
essential health services, health promotion, disease prevention and
health-supporting actions as close as possible to where people live,
work, learn and worship.
Has 3 components
1. Integrated health services
with an emphasis on primary
care and public health
functions: promotive,
protective, preventive,
curative, rehabilitative and
palliative care throughout the
life course
2. Multisectoral policy and
action: systematically
addressing the broader
determinants of health
(including social, economic
and environmental factors, as
well as individual
characteristics and behaviour)
through evidence-informed
policies and actions across all
sectors;
3. Empowered people and
communities: empowering
individuals, families and
communities to optimize their
health, as advocates of policies
that promote and protect
health and well-being, as co
developers of health and social
services, and as self-carers and
caregivers
Eight (8) elements of PHC
1. E-Education concerning prevailing health problems and the methods of
identifying, preventing, and controlling them.
2. L– Locally endemic disease prevention and control.
3. E–An expanded program of immunization against major infectious diseases.
4. M–Maternal and child health care including family planning.
5. E– Essential drugs arrangement.
6. N–Nutritional food supplement, an adequate supply of safe and basic
nutrition.
7. T– Treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases and the
promotion of mental health.
8. S– Safe water and sanitation.
Extended Elements in the 21st Century:
1. Expended options of immunizations.
2. Reproductive health needs.
3. Provision of essential technologies for health.
4. Health
promotion.
5. Prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.
6. Food safety and the provision of selected food supplements.
Six Principles of Primary Health Care (PHC):
1. Universal access to health care services for all people, regardless of
income or social status;
2. Equitable distribution of health resources and services, so that
everyone has an equal chance to enjoy good health;
3. A focus on preventive measures to keep people healthy, rather than
simply treating them when they fall ill;
Six Principles of Primary Health Care (PHC)
continued
4. A community-based approach to health care, with an emphasis on
local solutions to local problems;
5. A recognition that good health is a fundamental human right, not a
privilege reserved for the wealthy
6. The involvement of people in their own health care, including
decisions about treatment and service delivery
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