Concept of Health Care
Naresh T Chauhan
The needs of the many prevail over those of the few
Fundamental human right-health
Current criticism
Concept of Health Care
Health care vs medical care
Health care is the public right and it is the responsibility of
governments to provide this care to all people in equal
measure
Health system
Two major themes
First the health services should be organised to meet the needs of
entire population and not merely selected groups.
Secondly, it is now fully realised that the best way to provide
health care to the vast groups is to develop effective primary
health care
Community participation
Levels of health care
1. Primary care level- first contact , essential health care is
provided
2. Secondary care level-intermediate- DH and CHCs (FRU)
3. Tertiary care level
E.g
Sound referral system, continuity of care
Changing concepts
1. Comprehensive health care-Bhore- womb to tomb
Adequate, accessible, participation, affordable, and healthy
environment
PHCs and SC
2. Basic health services UNICEF/WHO
Basic health service is understood to be a network of coordinated,
peripheral and intermediate health units capable of performing
effectively a selected group of function essential to the health of an
area
3. Primary health care
Alma ata
primary health care is essential health care made universally
accessible to individual and acceptable to them, through their
full participation and at cost the community and country can
afford
Elements of primary health care (8)
Education
Food supply, nutrition
Safe water and basic sanitation
MCH and family planning
Immunization
Prevention and control of endemic dz
Treatment of common dz
Essential dz
Principles of primary health care
Equitable distribution
Community participation, village health guide and trained dais
Bare foot doctors
Intersectoral coordination strong political will, planning-planning
Appropriate technology
Placing peoples health in peoples hand