PLOS Global Public Health · 8 authors, 4 centres
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This descriptive analysis of the WHO's Collaborating Centres (WHOCCs) on primary health care (PHC) found that their configuration has shifted from a focus on human resources to health systems research, reflecting the evolution of PHC policy. The study identifies a significant geographical gap, with no WHOCCs in Africa and under-representation in low- and middle-income countries.
This study analyzed publicly available data from the WHO Collaborating Centres (WHOCC) Portal to explore the configuration of the 13 WHOCCs focused on primary health care (PHC). Findings reveal that nine of the thirteen WHOCCs are based in North America and Europe, with none in Africa and only three in low- and middle-income countries. The focus of these centres has shifted over time from human resources for health towards health systems research and development, particularly family medicine and PHC systems. Key activities include training, technical advice, and research. The paper concludes that while the configuration reflects the evolution of PHC policy towards people-centred care, the current distribution poses a challenge for global implementation, especially in under-represented regions. A key limitation is that the analysis is based solely on designation data and does not assess the implementation or outcomes of the WHOCC activities.
