Public health, primary healthcare, and "corporatization" of health

Abstract

The revitalization, maintenance and carrying forward the issue of public health is a key question for the production and development of human capital in any country irrespective of its economic, technological and other developments. The proper functioning of a robust public health program depends solely on the active, vigorous primary healthcare system. Different postcolonial countries with completely different geographical locations had developed their own systems of primary healthcare and tried to put their best human and economic resources to the development of primary care. Primary healthcare is the first meeting point of the patient (ailing person) and the doctor. Moreover, it is also the gateway which will guide the patient where to go for the next level of consultation. Reversely, commercial determinants of health have been materialized through "corporatization of health" - the glaring evidence can be had from the growing push for formula milk industry. We are not against capitalism, but against the evil effects of it.

Keywords: Alma-Ata conference; corporatization of health; primary care; public health; selective primary care; unequal world.