Supporting strong PHC during the pandemic
As COVID-19 strains our health systems, primary health care is a key part of pandemic preparedness and response and is the foundation of recovery.
A Note from the Executive Director
The world is changing before our eyes. Issues of testing, public use of masks, PPE, intensive care unit (ICU) beds and ventilators, and concerns of overwhelmed hospitals and “flattening the curve” through physical distancing are front-and-center in the global media. Countries that are only beginning to face the pandemic are trying to determine what immediate decisions and reallocations of resources they need to make.
Amidst all of this, we must work to maintain the momentum from Astana, and ensure that the clear global and national commitments made to PHC for UHC are not left behind as the crisis consumes us. It is natural to focus on pandemic surveillance, hospital-based care, and ventilators—as well as vaccines and therapeutics—in this moment. But while hospitals and ICUs may be a critical last line of defense for individuals, they are not the primary tools needed to prevent or fight pandemics on a population-wide basis. That is why strong PHC is as necessary as ever. PHCPI is committed to supporting countries to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and stay the course on improving primary health care to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Sincerely,
Beth
PHC plays a crucial role in maintaining continuity of essential services and COVID-19 surveillance and response.
-
Maintaining Access to Routine and Essential Health Services
Addressing ongoing global health challenges and providing people with essential services—while responding to and recovering from the pandemic—will require strong and resilient health systems, especially at the PHC level, that can address people’s diverse health needs at every stage of life. Learn how PHC systems can be leveraged in these efforts via Telehealth Services, Safety & Facility Operations, and Community-Based Services. -
Surveillance and Response
As countries grapple with COVID-19, strong primary health care can provide a critical first line of defense and response to keep people safe and healthy. PHC systems can help diagnose, track and stop the spread of local outbreaks while providing essential health services to communities.
Spread the word about the role of PHC in COVID 19 response and recovery.
-
Key messages: COVID-19 and PHC
This document provides members of the PHC community with foundational messages to use in communications and advocacy efforts about how and why countries, global decision-makers and donors can – and must – center PHC as a key component of the COVID-19 response in the weeks and months to come. -
Social media toolkit
The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a deadly ripple effect on the health of people around the world, threatening the significant gains in health and human progress made since the turn of millennium. This toolkit provides social media language and graphics to highlight the need for addressing ongoing global health challenges and providing people with essential services during the pandemic.
PHC Advocacy & Engagement COVID-19 Resources
Primary Sources Weekly Blog
Voices of practitioners and others on the front lines of PHC who are working tirelessly to keep this pandemic at bay and to continue to deliver essential health care
What We're Reading PHCPI Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest from PHCPI with our What We're Reading newsletter.
PHCPI Community of Practice Community
Share experiences, stories, tools, approaches and resources via the online forum.
PHC Messaging Materials Toolkit
Foundational messages about how and why stakeholders can – and must – center PHC as a key component of the COVID-19 response.