Report of the WHO preparatory mission on primary health care to the Peoples Republic of China 29 March-13 April 1980.

The objectives of the World Health Organization (WHO) preparatory mission on primary health care to the Peoples Republic of China were the following: to review the preparations for the forthcoming training courses in primary health care to be conducted in Yexian Jiading and Conghua and to make appropriate recommendations; and to discuss the possibility of establishing collaborative centers in primary health care and if necessary their program and needs. The mission visited the 3 counties reviewed the preparations visitied and reviewed the activities of the different health facilities at county commune and brigade level. At the end of each visit to a county a discussion was held that was attended by all the key staff involved in the training course. Preparations for the 3 courses are well underway. Focal groups responsible for the course and teaching staff have been identified in the 3 counties. There is total and serious involvement in the preparations and facilities are being constructed and improved. A review of the course plan and content revealed some oversight with regard to subjects to be added or emphasized. The staff requested advice on teaching methods. The dates for the course have been decided. The course will last 2 weeks and the participants would be staff concerned with health administration or the primary teaching of primary health care. Recommendations are reviewed in regard to course content and to overcome problems of communication. Six annexes include the following: places visited and persons met; mailing list; a note for information on project equipment; suggested objectives of the course; terms of reference of the WHO consultant; and collaborative centers on primary health care and possible topics for research and development.