A critique of John H. Bryant's paper.

Abstract

The author states that the issues emphasized in J.H. Bryant's paper on WHO's "Health for All By 2000" are American policy and administration, and the WHO, but contends that the real concern is with health today and the "New Health Policy Order" for the next two decades. It is argued that the new policies, which are meant to bring about a dramatic change toward primary health care (PHC) in health priorities in LDCs, will actually fail because of existing social and political structures and health care systems designed to serve the affluent urban population rather than the disadvantaged and rural majority, and because imposed political processes are not likely to be effectively or lastingly implemented. The author examines the implications of international aid, stating that the issue of LDCs' dependence on developed countries is ignored in Bryant's paper and that health improvement in LDCs requires more than simply more resources--it requires internal political will. Political will is seen as the most important factor missing in PHC, and one that can not be imposed by international organizations.