I can think of no other worldwide movement in recent history that has had so much impact. I am reminded of the World Health Assembly, which I attended in 1984. It is not a single, finite target. Rather, it is a developmental process leading to progressive improvement in the health of our people. Implicit in the strategy of HFA is the realisation that health is only a part of socio-economic well being.
Good health is an important ingredient for higher productivity and development.
In Singapore, this is vital. Health resources should be more equitably distributed, between and within countries. Health development is an intersectorial activity that requires the co-operation of many disciplines and experts. Right from the very beginning, the leaders of the movement recognized that Primary Health Care would be the cornerstone of 'HFA'. It was and still is the only rational, cost-effective strategy to achieve basic health for the majority of our people.