Ensuring Patient-Centered Care During an Emergency in Resource-Constrained Primary Health Care Settings

Patient-centered care (PCC) in primary health care emergency settings in low and middle-income countries centers on trusting patient-provider relationships and treating individuals with dignity, while involving them in all decisions. Grounded in the WHO definition of primary healthcare centers (PHCs), it promotes early, close-to-home emergency responses that reduce delays and travel barriers, and it requires a whole-of-society approach that engages communities, leaders, and networks. Adapting PCC to local cultures, including traditional practices and communication styles, strengthens care when resources are limited. Trust is built through honest discussions of constraints and family involvement.