Considerations for Strengthening the First Level of Care in the Management of the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems have been facing the difficulty of providing timely access and coverage and meeting the needs of the population at the first level of care (FLC), particularly in rural, remote, and neglected areas and border zones where there is a high number of COVID-19 cases. The objective of this document is to present the necessary considerations regarding the response capacity of FLC services so that each patient with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 receives appropriate care at the community level. It is intended for ministry of health decision-makers, directors of health service networks, health care facility managers, and health teams and workers in the first level of care.