Week 11 - Introduction to Medicines & Technology

Session 1 - Primary Health Care, Essential Medicines & Technologies

  1. Spark Questions
  2. Session summary and reflection
  3. Learning Outcome
  4. Concluding Questions: Defining Health & Health Systems Sciences

Spark Questions

What do you think are the distinguishing features of PHC as an approach to service delivery as part of Primary Care?

The distinguishing features of Primary Health Care (PHC) as an approach to service delivery include a focus on accessibility, community-based care, and a holistic view of health. PHC emphasizes preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative services in addition to curative care, addressing broader determinants of health such as social and environmental factors. It aims to provide equitable health services by being affordable and available to all, particularly underserved populations. PHC also fosters community participation, enabling local populations to have a say in their health services, and integrates healthcare services to ensure continuity and comprehensive care across various levels of the health system.

Session summary and reflection

    • Primary Health Care (PHC) aims to ensure that people achieve the highest possible level of health by addressing their essential health needs in a community-based, accessible, and equitable manner. Defined by the Alma-Ata Declaration in 1978, PHC is built on principles of equity, social justice, and community participation. It prioritizes disease prevention, health promotion, continuous care, and affordable services accessible to all
    • To achieve PHC, WHO highlights five key elements: reducing health disparities, organizing health services around community needs, integrating health across all sectors, fostering policy dialogue, and increasing stakeholder engagement. Essential medicines and technologies play a vital role, requiring national policies, reliable quality control, and efficient procurement and distribution systems. These technologies should be scientifically sound, adaptable to local needs, and cost-effective to support sustainable healthcare delivery

Learning outcome - Primary Health Care, Essential Medicines & Technologies

  • Define Primary Health Care (PHC) and explain the component parts of the definition of PHC.
    • Primary Health Care (PHC) is essential, accessible, community-based healthcare that meets the majority of health needs, emphasizing prevention, health promotion, and treatment.
  • Explain the importance of the Alma-Ata Declaration on Primary Health Care.
    • The Alma-Ata Declaration (1978) established PHC as a global priority, asserting that health is a fundamental human right and advocating for “Health for All” by addressing health inequities, promoting community involvement, and recognizing the role of social determinants in achieving universal healthcare.
  • Describe the key principles of PHC.
    • Equity in access to health services 
    • Community involvement
    • Health promotion and prevention
    • Intersectoral collaboration
    • Use of appropriate technology

Conclusion questions: Defining Health & Health Systems Sciences

Core Content: Essential Medicines & Primary Health Care

  • What does the Alma-Ata Declaration (1978) suggest to be the essential requirement for achieving health? 
    • The Alma-Ata Declaration suggests that universal access to essential healthcare, a focus on health equity, community participation, intersectoral action, and comprehensive primary health care are essential for achieving health for all.
  • What is the difference between primary care and primary health care? 
    •  
    • Primary care refers to the first level of contact between individuals and the healthcare system, focusing on direct services like diagnosis and treatment. Primary Health Care (PHC), however, is a broader concept that includes primary care but also emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and addressing social determinants through community and intersectoral collaboration.
  • How can health technologies be used to improve primary health care outcomes in South Africa? 
  • Health technologies can improve PHC in South Africa by enabling telemedicine to reach remote areas, using mobile health apps for health education, implementing electronic health records for better data management, and utilizing AI-driven diagnostics to enhance preventive care and early intervention. 

Core Content: Public Health

  • What is the difference between disease prevention and health promotion? 
    • Disease prevention focuses on reducing the occurrence and impact of specific diseases through interventions like vaccinations, screenings, and hygiene practices. Health promotion, on the other hand, aims to improve overall well-being and empower individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles, addressing broader determinants of health rather than focusing on specific diseases.
  • How are the different levels of disease prevention determined and what is the relationship between these different levels? 
    • Primary level
    • Secondary Lvel
    • Tertiary level
    • These levels are interconnected, as each builds on the preceding one to provide a continuum of care that supports individuals at all stages, from preventing disease to managing its effects.
Week 8 - Session 5
Session 2