The district concept for primary health care planning: attempts at implementation in The Netherlands

Strengthening district-level primary health care systems has high priority in the WHO's 'Health for All' strategy. This article reviews governmental efforts to implement district health care systems in the Netherlands. Up to 1987, these activities corresponded to the WHO objectives, but their impact was limited. In 1987, government policy drifted away from these goals; the regulation of market forces and the increased influence of financing institutions have replaced planning by local government. Attempts to implement the district concept have, in fact, set primary health care planning back without offering the prospect of a leap forward.