Overview of Primary Health Care in South America: conceptions, components and challenges

The article presents an overview of Primary Health Care in South America. Developed from mappings in the 12 countries, it follows an analytical matrix organised into the following parameters: stewardship, funding, characteristics of provision and organisation, care coordination and integration with the service network, labour force, social participation, inter-sector collaboration and intercultural approaches. Diversity was observed in PHC implementation and approaches, which are conditioned by policy guidelines, social protection modalities and health system segmentation. Innovative initiatives in comprehensive PHC are highlighted and the main challenges are identified.