WHO Prioritizes Primary Health Care for Global Health Advancement

2025-03-27 population

Geneva, Thursday, 27 March 2025.
The WHO is reorienting health systems toward primary health care, crucial for achieving universal health coverage. This approach is projected to save 60 million lives by 2030.

Global Health Investment and Impact

The World Health Organization’s strategic pivot toward primary health care (PHC) requires substantial financial commitment, with annual investment needs ranging from US$ 200 to 328 billion for comprehensive service delivery [1]. This investment holds tremendous potential, as PHC interventions could achieve approximately 75% of the projected health gains from the Sustainable Development Goals [1]. Current data shows concerning gaps, with about 4.5 billion people lacking full coverage of essential health services as of 2021 [2]. The financial burden on individuals remains severe, with over 1 billion people facing catastrophic out-of-pocket health spending [1][2].

Regional Implementation and Progress

Recent initiatives demonstrate the practical application of PHC principles across diverse settings. The Pan American Health Organization launched a new webinar series on March 25, 2025, creating a regional platform for strengthening PHC implementation across the Americas [4]. In South Western Sydney, immediate impact is visible through the opening of a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic on March 26, 2025, expanding primary care access [5]. Additionally, significant progress is being made in developing regions, as evidenced by the WHO’s recent work in Afghanistan’s Bamyan Province, where a US$ 1.1 million investment has enhanced maternal and child health services, benefiting over 38,000 individuals [7].

Global Partnerships and Future Outlook

The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) exemplifies the power of international collaboration, operating in 36 countries and facilitating price reductions for essential health services in over 80 nations [6]. The WHO’s commitment to PHC is further reinforced through the UHC service coverage index, which has shown improvement from 45 to 68 between 2000 and 2021 [2]. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges, with 84% of countries still reporting disruptions to essential services in 2022 [2]. Despite these challenges, the WHO maintains that reorienting health systems toward PHC remains crucial for achieving universal health coverage and meeting Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 [1][2].

Bronnen

universal coverage primary healthcare