Primary health care systems (primasys): comprehensive case study from South Africa

This case study delves into South Africa’s primary health care (PHC) system, focusing on its development, challenges, and efforts for improvement within the country's socio-economic and health system context. The report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the PHC system, highlighting its strengths, weaknesses, and priorities for enhancement. Organized around key components such as policy implementation, quality of care, infrastructure, and governance, the study navigates through the complexities of South Africa's PHC landscape. The primary problem identified is the gap between the envisioned quality of care and its actual delivery on the ground, evidenced by issues like inadequate staffing, drug stockouts, and poor patient experiences. This disparity is significant as it hampers the country's ability to effectively address preventable morbidity and mortality and achieve health equity goals. The report underscores the significance of initiatives like the Ideal Clinic program and integrated clinical services management (ICSM) in tackling these challenges and advancing PHC quality and accessibility.