Primary health care is the "heart", not the "front door", of health systems (Observatory)

International symposium hosted by Spain’s Ministry of Health sees the release of two key resources for decision-makers.
A high-level international symposium gathered over 1000 participants in Madrid and online to discuss the pivotal role of primary health care (PHC) in health systems and to inform policymakers of best practices for implementation.
"It’s often said that primary health care is the front door of our health care system. We consider it to be the heart of our health care system,” said the Spanish Minister of Health, Monica Garcia, setting the tone for the symposium "Transforming Primary Health Care: from Spain to Europe”.
European experts concurred that PHC is not just about delivering care; it is about fostering health promotion, disease prevention, and community well-being. Other takeaways included PHC as a driver of equity, human rights, and social justice, as well as its role as a cornerstone of social cohesion.
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