Improving Access

In LMICs it is generally acknowledged that access to curative care could be improved if primary care health services were strengthened and new health centres opened when required, if in addition skilled teams are organized in these services and if resource allocation does not discriminate against primary care as has historically been the case in many LMICs. Some publications also focus on the importance of good doctor-patient communication, as highlighted in Chapter 17 of this section, to improve access and to ensure effective integration of health services (Haddad & Fournier, Litvack & Bodart, 1993). There are also important technical dimensions of supporting primary care health services, including sustainable drug supplies in public services (Hanson & Gilson, 1993) (see Part 2 of this chapter).