As the year 2000 approaches, it becomes necessary to examine the overall achievements of the primary health care (PHC) strategy and to identify problems that continue to require the attention of the health care professions and health services for continuing efforts to strengthen PHC in order to obtain costeffective performance, to improve the health status of the most vulnerable groups, and to extend health services to all the population, especially to those in greatest need. Advances in science and technology should be used adequately, not only to maximize their benefits but also to avoid further discrimination in the delivery of health services. Ethical considerations, preservation of human rights, and protection of the environment should permeate PHC strategies and programs. Emphasis is on the principal roles and interventions of health care professionals in policy making, strategic planning, administrative and operational action to build access to health care, and fostering individual, family, and communal responsibility, self-reliance and self-respect.