Role of Comprehensive Primary Healthcare in Curbing Diabetes Crisis in China

Running head: PRIMARY HEALTHCARE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 1
Primary Healthcare in Developing Countries
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PRIMARY HEALTHCARE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 2
Primary Healthcare in Developing Countries
Comprehensive primary health care is a transformational healthcare intervention which
was developed in 1978 through a collaborative move by 67 organizations and 134 countries. The
main agenda of the comprehensive primary healthcare was to create a social model health system
that would replace the biomedical system, which was dominant at that time. The comprehensive
primary healthcare system aimed at including all the citizens and organizations in the efforts for
promoting wellbeing. The model emphasized on inter-sectoral collaboration, equity, and
participation. The comprehensive primary healthcare approach aimed at strengthening the
correlation between socioeconomic development and health while transforming the global health
policy. Even though different researchers have addressed the benefits of comprehensive primary
healthcare in promoting wellbeing among individuals in developing countries, little emphasis has
been placed on discussing the topic with respect to a specific health issue in a chosen developing
country. Different nations set targets which aim at promoting good health among the citizens.
However, no anticipations are undertaken with respect to the future of comprehensive primary
healthcare in achieving the desired objectives across the globe. Thus, it is necessary to research
the application of comprehensive primary healthcare in handling specific health issues in
developing countries. Therefore, this paper has been set to explore the role, relevance, and future
potential of comprehensive primary healthcare in curbing the diabetes crisis in China.
Diabetes is a fundamental problem in China. Approximations show that one individual in
ten suffers from diabetes in China (Mark, 2019). These rates outweigh a similar concern in the
United Kingdom, where almost one individual in twenty suffer from the disease (Mark, 2019).
Different cases of diabetes develop on a daily basis in the country. Currently, the actual number
of diabetes patients in China is hard to estimate as most cases have remained undiagnosed. The

PRIMARY HEALTHCARE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 3
country has the largest number of type one patients who are undiagnosed and overlooked. In fact,
China is currently ahead of India in reporting incidences of diabetes (Zimmet et al., 2014; Xu,
Zhou, Liu, Tan, & Cai, 2013). The country is largely affected by the epidemic as it records the
highest rate in the world (92 million patients diagnosed) (Xu et al., 2013; Li, et, al., 2014; Li,
2012; Mi, et, al., 2013). The developing nature of China is a fundamental crisis with respect to
diabetes type 2 (Xu et al., 2015). Currently, the western lifestyle in rapidly infiltrating the
Chinese culture where most individuals tend to consume more while exercising less. This has led
to rapid growth in cases of diabetes type 2 in the country (Zhou et al., 2013). The crisis in
paramount in urban areas where traditional lifestyles are easily eroded. However, less emphasis
has been placed on the application of Comprehensive primary healthcare in curbing the problem.
Yet, the approach has proven to be very effective in handling the crisis.
The execution of the principles of comprehensive primary healthcare serves a significant
role in curbing the obesity crisis in the country. There are five principles of comprehensive
primary healthcare mentioned on the Ottawa Charter. Such principles include the creation of a
supportive environment, creation of a healthy public policy, reorienting the health services,
promotion of personal development, and strengthening of community action. Inclusion of such
principles in the comprehensive primary healthcare system has greatly promoted nurses’
effectiveness in curbing the incidences of diabetes in the country.
Firstly, strengthening of community action has proven to be a very effective strategy in
handling the problems linked to diabetes in China (World Health Organization, 1986). Currently,
Sanofi is highly requesting the scientific community and Chinese authorities to execute projects
with training and education focus. Nurses and other healthcare practitioners have a fundamental
role to play in strengthening community action against diabetes. Nurses and other healthcare

PRIMARY HEALTHCARE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 4
practitioners engage in plenty of operations in promoting community action. The comprehensive
primary healthcare system has been utilized to direct the nurses on what to do in curbing the
crisis. Some of the interventions undertaken include designing and execution of community
development programs to empower the society about the disease (Edmonson et al., 2017).
Diabetes is a disease which is linked to diverse causes. Such predisposing factors include lack of
exercises, excess consumption of sugar, obesity, insulin resistance, and genetic history of the
family.
Most importantly, the causes of the disease are manageable through the proper
application of lifestyle operations. Usually, prevention is better than cure when it comes to issues
of health. For instance, overweight and obesity can be managed through dietary eating. Obesity
can also be managed through physical activity. On the other hand, insulin resistance has been
linked to overweight and overnutrition hence manageable through eating. However, such
operations cannot be done within the hospital setting across the population of individuals in
China. Therefore, promotion of community action as emphasized through the comprehensive
primary healthcare system is the most appropriate approach in curbing the problem. Nurses and
health practitioners strengthen community action by organizing and implementing community
development programs. The community has to be empowered on how to design a quality diet
and the performance of isometric exercises as a strategic approach in curbing the predisposing
factors to diabetes. Therefore, it is clear that the promotion of community action as a strategic
approach enshrined within the comprehensive primary healthcare action plays a significant role
in curbing diabetes in China.
The second principle of the comprehensive primary healthcare emphasizes the creation of
a supportive environment to the patients. This a fundamental principle in curbing diabetes in