By Jerry Omondi
The world ought to shift its focus to concentrate more on primary healthcare in efforts to achieve universal healthcare, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom.
Dr. Tedros made the remarks on Monday at the European Investment Bank (EIB) – WHO Health Event.
“The best way to do this is to invest in and reorient health systems towards primary health care as the foundation of universal health coverage,” he said.
“More than 90 percent of essential health services can be delivered through primary health care, including many services to promote health, prevent disease, and avoid or delay the need for more costly secondary and tertiary care.”
Dr. Tedros pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic had provided a demonstration that when health is at risk, everything is at risk.
He noted that the crisis had disrupted societies, economies, businesses, trade, politics, education and many other facets of life.
The WHO chief also used the opportunity to convey WHO’s gratitude to the EIB for its commitment of 500 million Euros to support primary health care in sub-Saharan countries.
“This investment will provide much-needed support to national governments to strengthen primary health care, and improve capacities to prepare for, prevent and respond to health emergencies,” he said.
