Primary Health Care is the essential, affordable health care provided by doctors and other medical professionals to their patients.

It is usually the first point of contact for a patient to see a doctor, nurse or pharmacist who can provide advice or treatment, bringing healthcare as close as possible to communities. Depending on the nature of the condition that the patient has, they can then be referred for more specialist care, although most cases are dealt with in primary health care centres.

In many of the countries where we work, International Medical Corps’ Primary Health Care services are the only health services available in communities, as the nearest hospital or government clinic can be many miles away, along poor roads or through conflict zones. In many of the refugee and displaced people camps where we work, International Medical Corps is the sole health provider to people who have experienced displacement, hardship and loss.

Where the local health system may have been destroyed or overwhelmed, in the aftermath of natural disasters for example, International Medical Corps operates Mobile Medical Units. These consist of a small team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and outreach workers who travel into communities that have been cut off from help, to provide Primary Health care.

Some examples of the type of support we provide through our Primary Health Care programmes include, health checks for pregnant women and new-born babies; advice and support on prevention and control of disease; treatment of common diseases and injuries, prescription and provision of medicines to treat common illnesses such as malaria; vaccinations; community mobilisation, education and behaviour change and supporting healthcare workers with trainings and capacity building.