GEMSDO prioritizes primary health care as the main approach to improving health outcomes for the target beneficiaries in Somali region in Ethiopia. 

Primary health care underscores the importance of whole-person care for most health needs throughout the lifespan of an individual, ensuring that everyone can receive comprehensive care ─ ranging from health promotion and prevention to treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care ─ as close as possible to where they live. 

GEMSDO works with community health worker to: promote good health in the community working through families, schools, community leaders, community health committees and women groups; organize and strengthening communities to be able to take control of their own health; provide essential information and preventive and promotive services to prevent ill health; provide basic curative care for some common illnesses that can be treated at the community level; and a supporting a referral system providing a continuum of care for the people at the community level.