Global launch of the Lancet Global Health Commission on financing primary health care: putting people at the centre

By the Lancet

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the need for well functioning primary health care (PHC) into sharp focus. PHC is widely recognised as a key component of all high-performing health systems and is an essential foundation of universal health coverage. However, in many places across the globe, PHC does not meet the needs of the people—including both users and providers—who should be at its centre. Public funding for PHC is insufficient, access to PHC services remains inequitable, and patients often have to pay out of pocket to use them. Establishing the right financing arrangements is one crucially important way to support the development of people-centred PHC.

The Lancet Global Health Commission on financing primary health care set out to present new evidence on levels and patterns of global expenditure on PHC, including describing how PHC is currently organised and paid for; analyse key technical and political economy challenges faced in financing PHC; identify areas of proven or promising practice that effectively support PHC across the key health financing functions; and identify actionable policies to support low-income and middle-income countries in raising, allocating, and channelling resources in support of the delivery of effective, efficient, and equitable PHC.

In this Lancet Webinar, several authors of the Commission will present the findings of the report, and a panel of key stakeholders in PHC will reflect on its implications. The session will conclude with an audience Q&A session.