Celebrating the 4th anniversary of the approval of the WHO Framework on integrated and people-centred health services: progress and opportunities ahead

This month marks the fourth anniversary of the approval of the Framework on integrated people-centred health services (IPCHS) and its accompanying resolution WHA69.24 (2016) on “Strengthening integrated people-centred health services” by the World Health Assembly. In May 2016, Member States showed exceptional support to these global commitments and requested WHO to help them implement, adapt, and operationalize this Framework. However, this was not the first time WHO recognized the relevance of health services being managed and delivered so that people, who are active participants of health systems, receive a continuum of care according to their needs throughout the life course. Other previous WHO global and regional commitments, including “People-centred health care: a policy framework” produced by the Western Pacific Region in 2007, the “World health report 2008 on primary health care: now more than ever”, and resolution WHA62.12 (2009) on Primary health care, including health system strengthening, had ...