The development of WHO normative guidance on self-care interventions marks the acknowledgment by WHO of this important paradigm shift in healthcare delivery. Self-care interventions have a unique potential in reducing inefficiencies in health expenditure, improving the quality of health coverage and increasing the agency and autonomy of even the most vulnerable populations to make informed decisions about their health.
Dr Peter Salama, WHO Executive Director for UHC and Life Course emphasized that self care can contribute to the Organization’s goal of achieving the triple billion targets, as laid out in WHO’s General Programme of Work. He added that self care is not meant to be disarticulated from health systems but should serve as complementary interventions that allow linkages to health care.
"The theme of this year’s World Health Assembly is Universal Health Coverage focusing strongly on primary health care. One of the key pillars of primary health care that we haven’t emphasized enough is the community pillar. This focuses on individuals and what they can do for their own health, on households and on communities, which is the first line of defense on all health-related issues. Self care work fits squarely within this pillar as a critical part of primary health care, which we are now exploring, explaining and guiding". Dr Salama
During the recently concluded World Health Assembly, the Ministry of Health of Bangladesh, Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia and WHO RHR/HRP co-organized a side-event titled, "Catalysing innovation and progress through self-care interventions: WHO normative guidance development to advance the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals”.
Consolidated guideline on self-care interventions for health
During the event, Dr Salama announced that on 24 June, WHO will launch the first consolidated guideline on self-care interventions for health. This will be followed by a ‘Self Care Month’ to promote research and dialogue across Regions and with partners as WHO establishes a community of practice for self-care. Self Care Month concludes on 24 July, which has been declared Self Care Day.
Video of the event
