Table 1.

Overview on Study Countries’ primary Healthcare systems

Mongolia	The healthcare system in Mongolia is structured into three levels (primary healthcare centers; district or provincial (aimag) general hospitals; central or national referral hospitals, and specialized hospitals and institutes), each providing different types of care. The healthcare system is mainly supported by women: they represent over 80% of the system’s workforce. The PHC centers are typically located at the soum (rural district) or bad (urban district) level, and serve as primary healthcare providers for their respective catchment populations. These PHC centers offer general medicine, preventive care, maternal and child health services, immunizations, family planning, basic laboratory tests, and health education and promotion as well as disease surveillance within their communities [24].
Nigeria	The healthcare system in Nigeria is structured into several levels (PHC centers; secondary healthcare facilities; tertiary healthcare facilities; and specialized research institutes and national referral hospitals). Primary, secondary and tertiary levels are the responsibility of the local area government, state government and federal government, respectively. The federal government also manages the implementation of disease-specific programs at all levels (e.g., HIV, tuberculosis). The PHC centers provide basic and essential healthcare to communities, including general medicine, maternal and child health care, immunization, family planning, health education and preventive care. Due to the under-resourcing of PHC centers in Nigeria, the communities depend on access to secondary level comprehensive health centers which provide a higher level of care than PHC, including outpatient and inpatient care, emergency services, minor surgery, basic laboratory tests, radiology and pharmacy services [25].
Peru	The healthcare system in Peru is structured into several levels. Each level plays a role in providing healthcare to the population, with an emphasis on primary healthcare, disease prevention, and specialized medical care as needed. The PHC is structured in four categories: I-1, I-2, I-3 and I-4. Within these categories, the system counts on health professionals’ consultations, health posts, medical cabinets, healthcare centers, medical centers, polyclinics, specialized medical centers, and medical centers with inpatient capacities. The PHC posts are smaller facilities located in rural and remote areas, serving as extensions of PHC centers, and providing basic services similar to PHC centers but focusing on preventive care and health education. The PHC centers provide basic healthcare to communities, including general medicine, preventive care, maternal and child health services, immunization, family planning, basic laboratory tests and health education and promotion. Facilities within PHC I-4 can also admit inpatients, screen for breast cancer, and conduct minor surgery, echography, radiology and hospitalization [26].