The world ought to invest in and reorient health systems towards primary health care as the foundation of universal health coverage, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Dr. Tedros made the remarks on Monday at the European Investment Bank (EIB) – WHO Health Event.

"More than 90 percent of essential health services can be delivered through primary health care, including many services to promote health, prevent disease, and avoid or delay the need for more costly secondary and tertiary care," he said. 

As the "eyes and ears" of the health system, primary health care also plays a vital role in detecting outbreaks at their earliest stages, he added. 

Dr. Tedros pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic had provided a demonstration that "when health is at risk, everything is at risk."