Primary health care: an international perspective

Five years have passed since the Alma Ata meeting, and with 17 years remaining in this century, one has to ponder whether the goal of health for all by the year 2000 through primary health care is achievable. This article explores the general situation of health and primary health care, especially in the developing world, where health problems are more acute. The slogan "health for all by the year 2000" has succeeded in creating an awareness of the problems throughout the world. The path toward this goal is not necessarily smooth or paved. Nevertheless, with goodwill and planned actions it can be achieved, though not necessarily by all nations or by the year 2000. This is the biggest challenge facing nations, professionals, international health organizations, and humanity. To achieve this goal they will need to improve and better use national resources, both physical and human. Developing physical resources entails comprehensive and integrated socioeconomic growth, improved health budgeting with multisectorial programming, the use of appropriate technology, and the adoption of scientific managerial processes; but what is even more important is the development of human resources at all levels.