Forty years since Alma-Ata: do we need a new model for noncommunicable diseases?

Abstract

Last year marked the 40th Anniversary of the Alma-Ata Declaration which stated that Primary Health Care (PHC) was “essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community.” The Declaration mentioned the need for PHC to evolve with changing disease and socio-economic conditions, focus on the main health problems by providing health promotion, prevention, care and rehabilitation, involving the community resources at large for health, empowering communities and adequate human resources...