Position paper on the provincialisation of personal primary health care services

Abstract

Primary health care (PHC) was internationally accepted in 1978 as the preferred system for health care. It is defined in the Declaration of Alma Ata and includes essential care, which is appropriate, available and affordable to the community and the country. It is health care delivered as close to the community as possible with full participation by the community. It forms part of the national health system. In 1986 the World Health Organisation declared that the most appropriate vehicle for delivery of PHC is the district health system (DHS). The DHS is based on a defined geographical area with a defined population and includes all health care services within that area.