Primary healthcare centers (PHCs) are a critical element of any effective
healthcare system. They serve as the foundation of public health, providing
the first point of contact for individuals seeking medical attention and
playing a crucial role in preventing, diagnosing, and managing a wide range
of health issues.
The importance of PHCs lies in their accessibility. Located within
communities. This proximity makes healthcare more accessible to
populations such as the elderly, children, and families.
PHCs offer a wide range of services provided by a Team Based Care led
by Family Physicians and qualified nurses, as well as doctors from different
specialties, which are based on the most important principles:
1. Effective care: Ensuring that healthcare delivery is efficient and
impactful.
2. Accessibility: Facilitating access to services, whether in-person or
virtually.
3. Continuity of Care: Maintaining a close and ongoing relationship
between the individual and their healthcare team.
4. Patient Satisfaction: Enhancing the patient experience to achieve
high levels of satisfaction.
5. Ccomprehensive care: Ensuring the availability of preventive, primary
and specialized care for the individual and the community,
6. Integrative care: Identifying the individual’s need and developing the
care plan with his medical team
The PHC services include, but are not limited to:
1. Urgent Care: We provide emergency services for urgent cases 24/7
across multiple healthcare centres within the cluster , in addition to
centres offering extended services.
2. Family Medicine
3. Paediatrics
4. Prenatal Care
5. Dentistry and Oral Health
6. Obstetrics and gynaecology
7. Psychiatry
8. General Surgery
9. Internal Medicine
10. Dermatology
11. Ophthalmology
12. Rheumatology
13. Palliative Care
14. Retinal Screening for Diabetic Patients using Artificial
Intelligence
15. Physical Therapy
16. Radiology and Medical Imaging
17. Medical Laboratories and Tests
Additionally, we offer remote medical consultation services through:
Virtual Clinics: Patients can conduct direct medical consultations using
audio and video calls with doctor
Telemedicine Services: Patients can communicate with family doctors via
text messages to monitor their health and receive medical advice.
We provide services through the (Sehaty) app, allowing patients to book
medical appointments remotely, manage their health and view their lab
results.
These services contribute to achieving the goals of Vision 2030 by
proactively providing care, improving health outcomes, and reducing costs
to the health system through the following:
1. Preventive Care: PHCs are at the forefront of preventive health
services, including vaccinations, screenings, and health education. By
focusing on prevention, PHCs help reduce the incidence of chronic
diseases like diabetes and hypertension, which are often managed more
effectively when detected early.
2. Maternal and Child Health: Primary healthcare centers are vital for
providing prenatal and postnatal care, immunizations, and monitoring the
growth and development of children. They play a significant role in reducing
maternal and infant mortality rates, which is a critical measure of a
country’s health system effectiveness.
3. Basic Medical Treatment: PHCs are equipped to handle common
illnesses and injuries, providing treatments for conditions like respiratory
infections, gastrointestinal issues, and minor injuries. This level of care
helps reduce the burden on secondary and tertiary hospitals, allowing them
to focus on more complex cases.
4. Health Education: Through health promotion and education initiatives,
PHCs empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
This includes education on hygiene, nutrition, family planning, and chronic
disease management.
5. Referral Services: When a patient requires more specialized care,
PHCs serve as the link between the community and higher-level healthcare
facilities. They ensure that patients are referred to the right place,
minimizing the risk of complications from delayed treatment.
6. Community Engagement: PHCs often work closely with local
communities, understanding their specific health needs. This relationship
allows PHCs to tailor their services effectively, ensuring that healthcare
delivery is relevant to their health needs
Primary healthcare centers are indispensable to the health and wellbeing of communities. these centers will improve overall health outcomes,
reduce healthcare disparities, and create a more equitable and efficient
healthcare system.