Health officials, partners, and experts meet to strategize scale-up of regional innovations for improving quality integrated primary health care

Health officials, development partners, and experts met this week to strategize scaling up of innovations to improve quality integrated primary health care at a Regional Workshop here. Participants reviewed successful models from across the WHO South-East Asia Region, specifically explored innovations related to National PHC Integration in Indonesia, and collectively identified steps forward for improving both quality and integration in healthcare delivery.   

“Poor quality care is today, a greater barrier to reducing mortality in low-and middle-income countries than insufficient access,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, in her inaugural address at the ‘Regional Workshop on Innovations for Quality Integrated Primary Health Care.’ She emphasized that as a key aspect of quality, the integration of primary health services is crucial for providing seamless care throughout an individual’s life.

“Integration through ensuring service continuity and people-centredness is a key determinant of quality,” the Regional Director added. 

(Photo credit: WHO Indonesia)

The World Health Organization is urging countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region to expand the adoption of cutting-edge policies, practices, and technologies that provide comprehensive, quality care throughout all stages of life. This call-to-action highlights successful models from across the Region, aimed at tackling the increasing challenges of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, public health emergencies, and climate effects alongside traditional priorities in service delivery. 

The WHO South-East Asia Region has long recognized primary health care as the foundation of robust health systems and broader development goals. In 2023, health ministers from the Region reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing investments in primary health care. The South-East Asia Region Primary Health Care Strategy 2022-2030 outlines key actions to transform health systems through a primary health care approach. 

The recently launched WHO South-East Asia Regional Roadmap for Results and Resilience, underscores WHO’s commitment to building a learning health system that prioritises innovations, equity, and sustainability. The holistic approach aims to ensure health and well-being for all in a comprehensive manner. With WHO serving as a key enabler, the roadmap seeks to forge partnerships across governments, development agencies, philanthropic organizations, academia, the private sector, and civil society to achieve universal health coverage. 

According to the Lancet Commission, nearly 60% of the 8.6 million annual deaths from treatable conditions are linked to poor quality care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of integration of public health functions in primary health care posed a significant bottleneck, in prevention, preparedness, and response. It also underscored the urgent need to strengthen primary health care systems while integrating essential public health functions in the Region for better preparedness and resilience against future health crises. 

Addressing the diverse challenges in delivering quality integrated primary health care to the Region’s two billion people, the Regional Director said, “We stand at a historic moment in time.  A remarkable transformation is taking place across our countries in our Region: a transformation from a focus on a few select diseases to that of the full human condition, across the life course.”A compilation of “Positive Practice Case Stories” was launched, featuring a set of 20 case studies from across the Region that highlight innovative approaches and solutions in various countries.

(Photo credit: WHO Indonesia)

“My vision for our Region is where people have access to quality healthcare, regardless of where they live, and regardless of their income or social status. I would like us to be a Region which takes a holistic approach to health and well-being; where people are empowered – both physically and mentally – to achieve their full potential. I would like to shape a Region which cares for all and strengthens and protects the most vulnerable who live in it.” the Regional Director said. 

To read more about the ‘Positive practices in developing primary healthcare-oriented health systems’ scan the QR code below or click the link here