Conceptualizing Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) - the Tshwane, South Africa, health post model

Abstract

Health sector reforms initiated in South Africa in 1994 adopted a primary health care approach to strengthen the health system and achieve public health outcomes through disease prevention and health promotion.1 This led to the building of many new clinics to make health services more accessible, affordable and equitable. However, the pressures of a predominantly hospitalcentric health care system and emerging epidemics prevented the successful provision of quality comprehensive, integrated primary care to millions of South Africans. Also, little attention was given to community partnerships and multi-sectoral collaboration.