Foundational Reforms for Financing and Delivery of Primary Health Care: Joint Learning Exchange on Financing PHC through Primary Care Networks 

Primary health care (PHC) forms the foundation of health systems to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). Countries are improving access to essential health services by transforming their health systems to strengthen PHC.

The primary care network (PCN) model helps improve coordination, access, quality, and efficiency of PHC resources. PCNs, networks of primary care providers working together, operate in Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, and the Philippines to boost PHC access and quality.

In November 2023, the Health Systems Strengthening Accelerator, in partnership with the Joint Learning Network for UHC (JLN), launched a Learning Exchange on Financing PHC through PCNs. This initiative was part of JLN’s two-year collaborative on PHC financing reforms, facilitated by Results for Development (R4D) and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Over nine months, the exchange highlighted PHC leaders’ eagerness to improve PHC financing through peer learning. Participants identified common priorities across five countries to enhance PCN financing and meet population needs. The learning brief summarizes these insights, country profiles, and future learning options.