Elements of primary health care

The term primary health care came to existence in 1978 by Alma-Ata in USSR. The Alma – Ata conference defined it as follows

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

There are eight elements of primary health care essential for its existence as per Alma – Ata declaration. They are:

1. Health education about precautions and prevention against diseases, common health problems etc;
2. Assurance of proper food supply and guarantee from malnutrition problems.
3. Assurance of pure and wholesome drinking water.
4. Maternal and child health care, family planning.
5. Immunization procedure at advanced level for preventing infectious disease
6. Control of endemics;
7. Assurance of treatment of injuries, common diseases like viral fever etc; and
8. Assurance of essential drugs with cost – effective manner.