The objective of this Act is to 1) promote and maintain the population’s health and welfare, work ability and functional capacity, and social security; 2) reduce health inequalities between different population groups; 3) ensure universal access to the services required by the population and improve quality and patient safety; 4) promote client-orientation in the provision of health care services; and 5) improve the operating conditions of primary health care and strengthen cooperation between health care providers, between local authority departments, and with other parties in health and welfare promotion and the provision of social services and health care.