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When Crises Hit, Can Good Management Keep Primary Health Centers Running?

Kathryn Andrews, Fabiano Dal-Ri, Roberta Gatti and Renata Lemos


In low- and middle-income countries, primary health centres (PHCs) are often people's first point of contact with the health system. They provide everything from treatment for common illnesses to chronic disease care, immunisation, family planning, and maternal and child health services. When a pandemic hits or health workers strike, some facilities stay open and others close. For the communities they serve, that can mean the difference between getting care and going without. A World Bank Policy Research Working Paper asks whether better management helps public and private PHCs keep services running during major disruptions.


12 November 2026


World Bank Blogs


https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/developmenttalk/when-crises-hit--can-good-management-keep-primary-health-centers

This Blog is published under the centre's Growth programme.

This publication comes under the following theme: Management practices and productivity