Primary health care in China

Primary health care (PHC) is an integral part of a country’s health system and, ideally, its main focus. It is the first level of contact for individuals, families and communities and enables health care to be delivered as close as possible to where people live and work. PHC is therefore the first element of the care continuum.

The three pillars of PHC are basic health insurance, basic health care infrastructure and community health professionals. In China, PHC is provided by health professionals including general practitioners, public health nurses and community pharmacists. In 2019, 90% of households in China can access the nearest PHC site within 15 minutes.