Primary Health Care - Overcoming Inequities

Yesterday, the World Health Organization issued its annual World Health Report which, on the 30th anniversary of the Alma-Ata Declaration, once again renews its vows to the critical issue of primary health care. Indeed, after decades of sailing adrift and billions spent on seemingly promising vertical programs, the foundations of health systems have slowly but surely dismantled or witnessed varying degrees of neglect. Please read this very important document as it highlights a topic crucial to the wellbeing of our nation and region at a time when we are being devastated by chronic diseases.

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Health For All Revisited - Part 1

A right approach to health sector reform. In a disorganized and exceedingly bureaucratic health system, it is tempting for the ill-informed policymaker to engage in the "band-aid" approach to achieve quick fixes that appease both the public and legislators in times of crisis. We have discussed numerous examples of this in the past. Furthermore, providers, who have been reluctant to engage in significant attempts to reform the system, except when dealing with matters of remuneration, remain disconnected from the policy-making arena. Indeed, in an environment lacking exposure to even basic education in principles of public policy, management, and economics related to health, understanding the sector as a whole, beyond ones restricted clinical domain, remains a daunting endeavor. For this reason, we will expose a series of articles addressing key concepts in health sector reform using the framework adopted by experts representing institutions such as Harvard University, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Bank, among others.

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