Introduction to Primary Health Care

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. explain origin and concepts of primary health care; 2. enumerate principles and components of primary health care, services; 3. describe concepts of community participation and community ownership; 4. illustrate management of PHC programmes steps in health planning (the planning cycle); 5. list management skills and techniques supervision, delegation (task shifting), motivation and leadership concept; 93 6. discuss health care financing, essential drug management (drug revolving fund); 7. describe health information management system; 8. explain public health laws; and 9. enumerate public health laboratories.

Origin and concepts of primary health care, definition of PHC. Principles and components of primary health care. PHC services. Community mobilisation for PHC, concepts of community participation and community ownership. Management of PHC programmes (organisation structure, planning, supervision and evaluation). The public health department. Steps in health planning (the planning cycle). Manpower development and training for PHC programmes (human resource management). Management skills and techniques, supervision, delegation (task shifting), motivation and leadership concept. Health care financing, essential drug management (drug revolving fund). Health information management system. Public health laws. Public health laboratories.