Capacity building for primary health care is a cornerstone in the quest for equitable and accessible healthcare systems worldwide. It embodies a strategic approach aimed at enhancing the abilities of individuals, organizations, and systems to effectively deliver essential health services. By investing in training, infrastructure, and resource allocation, capacity building fosters resilience and sustainability within primary health care settings, ultimately bolstering their capacity to address the diverse health needs of communities. This holistic approach not only empowers healthcare workers but also strengthens the foundations upon which comprehensive healthcare systems are built, ensuring that quality care reaches those who need it most.
Capacity Building for Primary Health Care
“PHC is a whole-of-society approach to health that aims at ensuring the highest possible level of health and well-being and their equitable distribution by focusing on people’s needs and as early as possible along the continuum from health promotion and disease prevention to treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care, and as close as feasible to people’s everyday environment,” WHO and UNICEF
Key facts
- Over 1 billion people worldwide are at risk of falling into poverty due to out-of-pocket health spending of 10% or more of their household budget.
- Scaling up primary health care (PHC) interventions across low and middle-income countries could save 60 million lives and increase average life expectancy by 3.7 years by 2030.
- The majority of essential interventions (90%) for universal health coverage can be delivered using a PHC approach.
- An estimated 75% of the projected health gains from the Sustainable Development Goals could be achieved through PHC.
- Achieving the targets for PHC requires an additional investment of around US$ 200 to US$ 328 billion a year for a more comprehensive package of health services.
India grapples with a multifaceted malnutrition problem, showcasing the nation’s stark socio-economic disparities. As a country of contrasts, a significant portion of the population struggles with poverty, limiting their ability to afford an adequate amount of food. Paradoxically, the nation is also witnessing a surge in obesity, underscoring the diverse dietary challenges.
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies or excesses in nutrient intake, imbalance of essential nutrients or impaired nutrient utilization. The double burden of malnutrition consists of both undernutrition and overweight and obesity, as well as diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Undernutrition manifests in four broad forms: wasting, stunting, underweight, and micronutrient deficiencies.
Prevalence of Undernutrition: Over 40% of children in India receive insufficient food, contributing to malnutrition concerns. Nearly one-third of the Indian population is estimated to be grappling with malnourishment.
Ministry of Women and Child Development has released targets to Curb Malnutrition in India with targets: Aims at reducing stunting and under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) among children below 6 years by 2% each year. Aims to Reduce, low birth weight by 2% per annum, Anaemia among children between six and 59 months, as well as women and adolescent girls (15 to 49 years), by 3% per annum.
Global Hunger Index (GHI) Ranking:
- India’s standing on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023 is disconcerting, placing the country at 111 out of 125 nations.
- India’s GHI score 2023 stands at 28.7, categorized as “serious” on the GHI Severity of Hunger Scale.
- Child stunting is prevalent at 35.5% ( India’s National Family Health Survey(NFHS) 2019-2021)
- GHI evaluates factors like stunting, wasting, child mortality, and overall caloric insufficiency, offering critical insights into nutritional challenges, particularly among children.
Nutritional Landscape According to NFHS-5:
- Data from India’s National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reveals alarming figures.
- Between 2019 and 2021, 35.5% of children under five exhibited stunting, 19.3% experienced wasting, and 32.1% were underweight.
- The prevalence of undernourishment in India is 16.6% ( State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report 2023 )
Global Context:
- India’s nutritional scenario is not isolated; it is a global concern that extends beyond regional borders.
- The complexities of malnutrition demand comprehensive strategies for sustainable improvement.
- The under-five mortality rate stands at 3.1% (United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation January 2023 )
FAQs
Q: What is capacity building in the context of primary health care?
Capacity building refers to the process of strengthening the abilities, skills, and resources of individuals, organizations, and systems involved in delivering primary health care services. It aims to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of healthcare delivery, ultimately improving health outcomes within communities.
Q: Why is capacity building important for primary health care?
Capacity building is crucial for primary health care as it enables healthcare providers to better address the diverse needs of populations. By investing in training, infrastructure, and resources, primary health care systems can enhance their ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, leading to improved community health and well-being.
Q: What are some key strategies for capacity building in primary health care?
Key strategies for capacity building include continuous education and training for healthcare professionals, strengthening healthcare infrastructure and facilities, fostering partnerships and collaborations between stakeholders, implementing evidence-based practices and guidelines, and promoting community engagement and empowerment.
Q: How can communities be involved in capacity building efforts for primary health care?
Communities can play a vital role in capacity building by actively participating in health promotion activities, advocating for their health needs, and contributing to the design and implementation of healthcare programs. Community health workers can be trained and empowered to deliver culturally sensitive care and facilitate communication between healthcare providers and community members.
Q: What are the challenges associated with capacity building in primary health care?
Challenges include limited financial resources, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, shortages of trained healthcare professionals, geographical barriers to accessing healthcare services, cultural and linguistic diversity, resistance to change, and the need for sustained political commitment and support from policymakers. Overcoming these challenges requires a multi-sectoral approach and innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of each community.
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