Primary Health Care in the 21st century: Primary care providers and people’s empowerment

Abstract

International health debates often confront enduring values with new realities. The events and publications surrounding the 30th anniversary of Alma Ata, the Primary Health Care (PHC) focus of the 2008 World Health Report and the report(s) of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health illustrate the durability of PHC values such as equity, self-determination, participation, trans-sectoral collaboration and the right to health (Gilson et al. 2007; Chan 2008; Lawn et al. 2008; Reich et al. 2008; Walley et al. 2008; World Health Organisation 2008; Hanson et al. 2009). Taking into account recent transitions that are changing the relationship between primary care providers and their patients, we examine the role providers can play in enhancing people’s individual and collective empowerment, an important but rather neglected component of PHC (Walley et al. 2008).