Managing Sustainable Primary Health Care (PHC)

(Professional Development Course)

1. Introduction

Primary Health Care (PHC) is the cornerstone of universal health coverage and sustainable health systems. However, many health systems face challenges in sustaining effective PHC delivery due to financial constraints, poor infrastructure, human resource shortages, and weak governance. This training provides participants with the skills and strategies to design, manage, and evaluate sustainable PHC models that are people-centred, resilient, and adaptable to local needs.

 

2. Training Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles and evolution of PHC and its role in universal health coverage
• Identify strategies for strengthening PHC systems in a sustainable manner
• Apply management and leadership tools for efficient PHC delivery
• Integrate community participation, health promotion, and inter-sectoral collaboration into PHC
• Monitor, evaluate, and improve PHC performance and outcomes

 

3. Targeted Group

This course is designed for:

• Health facility managers and administrators
• Public health professionals and planners
• Ministry of Health officials and policy advisors
• Community health officers and workers
• NGO and donor agency staff involved in PHC support
• Medical and nursing educators
• Health system strengthening consultants

 

4. Course Duration

• Total Duration: 4 weeks (64 contact hours)
• Schedule: 4 sessions per week × 4 hours each
• Delivery Mode: In-person / Online / Hybrid
• Methods: Expert-led lectures, group work, case studies, role-plays, health system simulations, and peer-reviewed projects

 

5. Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Primary Health Care

• Alma-Ata and Astana Declarations
• Principles and values of PHC

Module 2: Health Systems and PHC Integration

• WHO health system building blocks
• Role of PHC in achieving UHC and SDGs

Module 3: Community Participation in PHC

• Mobilizing communities
• Role of CHWs and local governance

Module 4: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in PHC

• Approaches to health education
• Community-based interventions

Module 5: Leadership and Governance in PHC Management

• Decision-making, accountability, and decentralization
• Strengthening local leadership

Module 6: Human Resource Management in PHC

• Planning, recruitment, training, and retention of staff
• Task shifting and team-based care

Module 7: Financial Management for Sustainable PHC

• Budgeting, resource allocation, and costing
• Financing models for PHC (capitation, insurance, etc.)

Module 8: Supply Chain and Infrastructure Management

• Procurement, logistics, and equipment maintenance
• Infrastructure planning and sustainability

Module 9: Service Delivery and Quality Improvement

• Essential health service packages
• Clinical governance and quality assurance

Module 10: Health Information Systems in PHC

• Data collection, reporting, and use in decision-making
• Digital health tools in PHC

Module 11: Monitoring and Evaluation of PHC Performance

• Key indicators for PHC
• Designing M&E frameworks

Module 12: Inter-sectoral Collaboration and Social Determinants of Health

• Working with education, agriculture, water/sanitation sectors
• Addressing determinants like poverty and housing

Module 13: Gender, Equity, and Inclusion in PHC

• Ensuring equitable access to PHC services
• Addressing barriers faced by vulnerable populations

Module 14: Emergency Preparedness and Resilience in PHC

• Integrating emergency response into PHC
• Building resilient community-based systems

Module 15: Innovation and Best Practices in PHC Delivery

• Case studies from successful PHC systems
• Mobile clinics, telemedicine, and eHealth platforms

Module 16: Capstone – Designing a Sustainable PHC Model for a Community

• Group work to create a sustainable PHC plan
• Presentation and peer review of PHC models

 

6. Expected Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

• Design and manage sustainable PHC programs aligned with global and national standards
• Apply practical tools to monitor, evaluate, and improve PHC performance
• Promote community ownership and participation in health services
• Ensure equitable, inclusive, and resilient PHC systems
• Foster inter-sectoral collaboration to address health determinants

 

7. Certification

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to participants who:

• Attend at least 85% of sessions
• Actively engage in discussions, group work, and exercises

Certificate of Competence in Managing Sustainable Primary Health Care

Granted upon:

• Successful completion of a capstone PHC sustainability project
• Demonstrated application of concepts in case assessments or field exercises
• Completion of post-training knowledge or practical assessment

Certificates may be co-issued with Ministries of Health, WHO, Public Health Institutions, or Accredited Training Academies.