This presentation contains :- 1. Introduction to primary health care 2. alma-ata conference 3. Definition of primary health care 4. Elements of primary health care 5. Principal of primary health care 6.Role of nurse in primary health care

1. Presented By – Atul Yadav (RN,RM)

2.  More than half of the population of the world does
not have the benefit of proper health care. The Alma-
Ata Conference held in 1978 stressed the need for
"Health for All" by the year 2000.
 It also stressed "primary health care" as the key
approach for achieving the objective of "the
attainment of a level of health that will enable every
individual to lead a socially and economically
productive life".
 Primary health care is the first level of contact of the
individual, the family and the community with the
national health services. It is health care for the
people, and above all by the people. Hence
participation of the people in the health services is of
great importance.

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

4. According to the Alma-Ata Declaration, primary
health care includes at least eight elements, which
are to be implemented in an integrated manner. They
are :
1.Education people about prevailing health problems
and methods of preventing and controlling them.
2. Promotion of food supply and proper nutrition.
3.Adequate supply of safe water and basic sanitation.
4.Maternal and child health care and family planning.
5.Immunization against major infectious diseases.
6. Prevention and control of locally endemic diseases.
7.Appropriate treatment of common diseases and
injuries.
8.Provision of essential drugs.

5. A WHO Expert Committee (1984)recognized
that five principles are embodied in the
definition of primary health care. They are :
1. Equitable distribution
2. Community involvement
3. Appropriate technology
4. Focus on prevention
5. Multi sectoral approach.

6. That is, health services should be accessible to
all sections of the society, with special
attention to the needy, vulnerable groups.
This has been termed as "social justice".

7. Since primary health care is for the people, by
the people, the local community must
participate in the planning, implementation
and maintenance of health services.

8.  Instead of going in for costly methods,
equipment and technology, reliance must be
placed on scientifically sound materials and
methods that are socially acceptable, as for
example oral rehydration therapy.

9. The basic tenet of primary health care is that
health cannot be achieved by the health
sector alone. It requires the joint efforts of
other health-related sectors such as
agriculture, education, social welfare, etc.

10.  A WHO Expert Committee in 1984defined the
role of nurses in primary healthcare as
follows:
 Assessing the health status of individuals
and communities.
 Mobilizing community involvement.
 Providing integrated health care including
the treatment of emergencies, and making
referrals.

11.  Maintaining Epidemiological surveillance.
 Training and supervising health workers.
 Collaborating with other development
sectors, and
 Monitoring progress in primary healthcare.