World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
WHO Country Office in Lebanon

WHO Collaborative Programme

Abstract

Primary Health Care System Development

Primary Health Care (PHC) addresses the main health problems in the community, providing promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services accordingly. Since these services reflect and evolve from the economic conditions and social values of the country and its communities, they will vary by country and community. Activities in PHC work towards promoting proper nutrition, adequate supply of safe water, basic sanitation, maternal and child care, family planning, immunization against the major infectious diseases, prevention and control of locally endemic diseases, education concerning prevailing health problems and the methods of preventing and controlling them, and appropriate treatment for common diseases and injuries

In 1994 the Ministry of Health (MPH) in Lebanon and Mr. Fouad Partow, WHO consultant, prepared strategic goals for the Primary Health Care Implementation Plan. They are:

1. Expand Primary Health Care coverage throughout the Lebanese territories 
   

2. Offer quality health care services 
   

3. Ensure availability of an effective referral system 
   

4. Upgrade management capabilities of primary health care at district level 
   

5. Strengthen technical and administrative capabilities at the MPH central level 
   

6. Promote the community participation in health development 
   

7. Promote coordination with other sectors 
   

8. Strengthen capabilities of related MPH technical departments and programs  
   

9. Develop new programs 
   

10. Prepare needed human resources 
    

11. Clarify role and ensure participation of the private sector in primary health care activities
    

WHO works in close coordination with the Ministry of Public Health in support of its primary health care initiatives. It has worked extensively through the provision of technical advice and initiation of projects. Some of the projects recently supported are: 

1.District Health Information System:

The objectives for preparing District Health Information System were for improving knowledge of health districts on health and health services offered by surveying demographic changes, disease and other developments, monitoring preventive, promotive and curative activities in the areas, and planning for interventions in appropriate and timely manner addressing area-priorities. With support of WHO the Ministry of Public Health prepared and implemented the District Health Information System pilot project in six districts. MPH is currently extending the implementation of the DHIS in several other districts. 

2.Community Home Care Services:

By 2003 Lebanon is to establish home care services at community level’ is a main target of the MPH and WHO. A preliminary paper has been prepared and a pilot project will be initiated in three health centers in Bekaa Mohafazat. The target population for home care services would include homebound individuals with health problems, disabled and elderly and those requiring follow up. Services stressed include preventive, nursing and rehabilitation care. The second phase II to be initiated by WHO and MPH wit the assistance of local consultants will include preparing:

1. Community Home Care Services Guidelines and Protocol
   Document and  Specification List Home Care Kit
   

2. Community Home Care Services Human Resources
   Training Manual and Training of staff in three health centers
   

3. Initiation of provision of Community Home Care Services in three health centers

3. Review of Primary Health Care Programs in Lebanon: A review of Primary Health Care Programs in Lebanon will be conducted during 2003-2004. The review would include: 

• Evaluating the currently implemented PHC strategy,
  from1996 to 2002, with conclusions, lessons learned, and best practices. This should culminate in putting  forward recommendations to serve as basis for 2003 version of a PHC strategy 2003. 
  

• Convening a national forum to present, discuss, and
  hopefully-endorse the proposed PHC Strategy 2003. 
  

• Developing a 2004-2008 PHC Strategy Implementation
  Work Plan Document.

Other areas covered include preparation for new projects related to PHC performance indicators and quality workshop. In addition community health has also been targeted through the Basic Development Needs Approach initiated by WHO in Lebanon. Kindly refer to the Basic Development Needs section of the website. Other PHC related projects which are supported by WHO are the Immunization Campaigns, Reproductive Health, Reorientation of General Practitioners to Primary Health Care, and Environmental Health, among others, are discussed in other sections of the website.