The social revolution in health services

In the past, health care was predominantly curative and was directed mostly at the individual. It largely neglected the community and the true object of health services, i.e. to improve the health of the entire population. A comprehensive health service should meet all the health needs of a community and should not be orientated solely towards disease and hospital care. The importance of community participation in the social rehabilitation of individuals recovering from mental or organic diseases is emphasized, and the role of primary health care in helping to relieve pressure on hospital services by caring for more people at the community level should be recognized. In training health personnel greater emphasis needs to be placed on promoting more flexible attitudes of mind to fit professional skills covering all problems confronting the community. The social function of health services should be recognized and accepted in order to ensure that health technology is developed and applied in harmony with this social function.