Department of Health Sciences of Uganda Martyrs University
Abstract
Equity was a core value in the Alma Ata declaration on PHC. However,
the interpretation of equity varied and its application became
difficult. Equity goals and objectives have often been rhetoric rather
than practical. Policy reforms since Alma Ata have been dominated by
the neo-liberal economic ideology, which does not include equity as its
core value. After 25 years, reforms such as the essential health
package, sector-wide approach, user-fees and decentralization have not
achieved the key goals of PHC such as equity, and of health sector
reforms such as cost recovery, efficiency and sustainability