Take home messages from the implementation of the primary health care measurement and improvement (PHCMI) initiative in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR)

Of the 21 countries and one territory, 14 participated in the assessment including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, I.R. of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, occupied Palestinian territory, Qatar, and Yemen. Despite the observed heterogeneity in PHC implementation, most countries reported that public primary care services were acceptable, accessible, and affordable. Strong leadership, the existence of PHC-related national health policies, and the engagement of stakeholders were key success factors.Areas for additional attention include the need to increase investment in PHC, increase the PHC workforce, enhance equitable distribution of the workforce, expand training of primary care clinicians, improve health information systems, and inform the population on the benefits of preventive care. Health systems should be more tailored to the PHC approach and encouraged towards a more holistic view of the PHC approach.The PHCMI initiative provides a foundation for an open discourse for advancing universal health coverage (UHC) and health security in EMR and re-orienting health systems towards the PHC approach.