The international response of primary health care to COVID-19: document analysis in selected countries

Abstract

This study examines the primary health care (PHC) organization in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. This is a descriptive study based on the document analysis of the countries’ responses to the coronavirus pandemic with emphasis on PHC. In various countries, there have been different organizations and impacts of strategies since they have conducted actions according to the local characteristics of disease transmission, demography, public health services organization, and health system’s capacity and financing, especially in the PHC area. A significant change during the pandemic has been the increase in telephone and video consultations incorporating health information technology. An efficient PHC, guided by essential actions, achieves more suitable results. Also, each country’s cumulative capacity or experience makes the difference facing the emerging demands on different health systems.

Transformations in the landscape of primary health care during COVID-19: Themes from the European region

“…Attributing any causal link between PHC policy response and pandemic outcome presents a multitude of methodological challenges – while some would suggest that strong PHC systems have been a ‘robust first line of defence’ [20] , others note that good PHC systems in advance of the pandemic have not in fact guaranteed a good response [21] – so this analysis instead intends to describe and assess policy responses and draw out critical lessons. This analysis can serve as a basis from which to continue investigating how models of PHC delivery respond to global crises across country contexts.…”

The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Public Health System Challenges in India

“…Global evidences show that COVID-19 pandemic has been well-contained in countries with strong primary health care system such as China, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Germany and New Zealand [54,55]. Easy access to basic primary health care is a crucial factor in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases [56].…”

“…Easy access to basic primary health care is a crucial factor in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases [56]. Initial experience reveal that about 80% of the COVID-19 cases are mild, and most moderate cases seek services from the primary health care centres as a gate keeper to health care [55]. In India, states like Kerala, which has a strong presence of primary health care system could contain the pandemic in its initial stage, due to various out-reach based public health measures related to epidemic control [55].…”

“…Initial experience reveal that about 80% of the COVID-19 cases are mild, and most moderate cases seek services from the primary health care centres as a gate keeper to health care [55]. In India, states like Kerala, which has a strong presence of primary health care system could contain the pandemic in its initial stage, due to various out-reach based public health measures related to epidemic control [55]. However, many states face the shortage of primary health care infrastructure and health work force both in rural areas.…”

Condições de saúde dos profissionais que manuseiam animais no Brasil e a prevalência de infecção por robovírus, rickettsia do grupo da febre maculosa e bartonella

“…Pensando na lógica de cuidado à saúde, cabe destacar que as restrições de circulação e a sobrecarga do sistema sanitário, geradas pela pandemia, promoveu uma reorganização da APS. Este nível assistencial, passou a contemplar o atendimento dos casos leves e assintomáticos advindos da infecção por coronavírus e assumiu as ações de vacinação, mas ainda tem que assegurar a capacidade de garantir a continuidade das ações centradas às demais necessidades de saúde da população (PRADO et al, 2020).…”