Strengthening Primary Healthcare: From Curative to Promotive Care

Abstract

Primary healthcare (PHC) is not simply the first point of contact between individuals and the health system; it is a foundation for prevention, health promotion, continuity of care, equity, and universal health coverage (UHC). A strong PHC system integrates primary care with essential public-health functions, community participation, and action on the wider determinants of health. Recent evidence continues to emphasize that effective PHC is central to achieving equitable health outcomes and UHC. [1,2] Despite advances in medical technology and hospital-based care, many important health problems remain preventable or manageable through timely interventions at the community and primary-care levels. Communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), maternal and child health problems, malnutrition, mental health conditions, and environmental health risks frequently coexist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This changing disease profile makes it increasingly important to move from a predominantly curative model toward a promotive and preventive approach that emphasizes health promotion, early detection, and continuous care.