Guidance for International Conference on Primary Health Care

Making bold political choices for health across all sectors

A whole-of-government approach to health is critical in ensuring that all people receive and enjoy a high standard of health. It is important that the impact on health be considered across sectors and at all levels of governance. Thereby, the conference will explore leadership and governance in PHC to identify ways to effectively and strategically include a wide array of actors including planners, providers, donors, users and communities. We hope to engage discussion including but not limited to the relative empowerment of MoHs vis-a-vis donors in the political dimensions of health sector reform, and the challenges of PHC implementation in conflict-affected regions.

Building sustainable Primary Health Care

As the global landscape continues to evolve, systems of primary health care must develop in a sustainable way. The Astana declaration emphasizes the need for comprehensive, core public health functions, delivered in a way that is integrated, not fragmented. On a systems level, recent years have seen greater emphasis on capacity building, strengthening supply chains, and bolstering mechanisms to ensure quality and safety. Additionally, efforts have been made to better integrate PHC and vertical programs.

Taking place concurrently has been the emergence of novel health technologies. Digital technologies have become essential resources in building a primary health care that is sustainable and that provides services that are of high quality and safety. However, their advantages and disadvantages are often points of debate.

During the conference, we hope to hear from a diverse array of experiences and perspectives on e-health, with the aim of better understanding how to efficiently and effectively utilize e-health in a way that truly strengthens the system. We will also feature country experiences of efforts to move in meaningful ways towards comprehensive, sustainable PHC.

Empowering individuals and communities

The strength of primary health care is rooted in an empowered people and workforce. The rights and protections of primary health care (PHC) workers play a crucial role in guaranteeing quality healthcare services. Equity and gender concerns are important to consider for the PHC workforce and there is a need for more involvement from young people in the sector. As Community Health Workers remain the backbone of the delivery of PHC in many settings, how do we ensure effective methods of recruitment, training, and retention that meet the needs of the workforce? Efforts must also include the engagement of the community to ensure effectiveness and relevance. It has long been a cornerstone of PHC ideology that communities should have agency over their own health and wellbeing, should participate in governance, and should be heard. What are successes and challenges in this area? What are active and practical ways that communities can be effectively involved in primary health care?

Aligning Stakeholder support with national policies, strategies and plans

PHC financing faces several challenges, including a low level of public funding, fragmented financing mechanisms, limited coverage for patients, and a lack of financial incentives for PHC providers to deliver priority services. The establishment of a robust primary health care financing system is dependent upon the multi-sectoral collaboration of various stakeholders including donors, political actors, and the community.

It is important also to consider the role and responsibilities that each party may have. For example, to what extent do donors collaborate to support national leadership? How might widely different stakeholders interact and contribute meaningfully to improve primary health care?

ICPHC aims to explore ways these stakeholders’ support can be effectively aligned with national policies, strategies and plans in order to improve health outcomes. We hope country representatives use this platform to share their experience and lessons that can be adapted and used by other countries to guide implementation of effective PHC financing.