WHA76 - Side Event: On the Road to Transformation of Health: Integrated Primary Care Services and the Role of Family Medicine
Geneva, May 22nd, 2023 – Today, the Ministry of Health of Indonesia hosted a side-event in collaboration with WONCA, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Besrour Centre to discuss on the transformation of primary care and the crucial role of family medicine in enabling integrated primary health services. The event aimed to highlight the efforts undertaken by Indonesia and other countries to reorient its healthcare model towards a primary healthcare and people-centered approach.
WONCA President, Dr Anna Stavdal, Dr Isti Fujiati as Chair of the Indonesian Association of Family Physicians, WONCA CEO, Dr Harris Lygidakis.
The COVID-19 pandemic placed significant strains on national and global health systems, necessitating transformative actions. Recognising the need for change, the Ministry of Health of Indonesia launched six pillars of health transformation, with the transformation of primary care delivery being a key focus. The objective of this transformation is to enhance promotive and preventive services, including strengthened preventive efforts, early detection, health promotion, infrastructure development, well-equipped facilities, human resource development, and improved management of primary care services across the country. To achieve this, Indonesia has adopted the concept of "Integrated People-Centered Health Services" (IPCHS) with a life cycle approach.
“I want to leave a legacy and ensure all Indonesian people have a happy, healthy life and well-being. I strongly believe that the best wealth is health” stated the Minister of Health of Indonesia, Budi G. Sadikin.
Minister of Health of Indonesia, Budi G. Sadikin.
The side-event also brought together healthcare leaders from various countries to exchange insights and experiences on effective approaches to reorienting the model of primary care and enhancing the role of family medicine in facilitating integrated primary health services. The event also featured WONCA President, Dr Anna Stavdal; Dr Raymond Bruce J. Aylward, Assistant Director-General (UHC, Life Course) at WHO HQ; Dr Atul Gawande, Assistant Administrator for Global Health at USAID; Dr David Ponka, Director of Besrour Centre in Canada; ; and Dr Innocent Besigye from Besrour Center.
Dr Raymond Bruce J. Aylward, Assistant Director-General (UHC, Life Course) at WHO HQ
During her participation, Dr Anna Stavdal, President of WONCA, reaffirmed WONCA's commitment to strengthening Primary Health Care as a fundamental prerequisite for attaining Universal Health Coverage.
WONCA President, Dr Anna Stavdal
“Now, more than ever, what the world needs is: High-quality Primary Care” expressed Dr Anna Stavdal. “A close-to-home, healthcare hub, that functions in seamless collaboration with Social Care and Public Health services, as well as with hospitals. That requires strong, interprofessional teams, with qualified Family Doctor”.
Dr Atul Gawande, Assistant Administrator for Global Health at USAID
The event took place in a hybrid format, with an in-person meeting at Room Foyer A, Fairmont Grand Hotel, Geneva, and remote participation via Zoom.
Dr David Ponka, Director of Besrour Centre in Canada
This side-event served as a significant step forward in the journey towards strengthening primary care and achieving integrated health services. The outcomes and lessons learned from this event will contribute to the ongoing efforts of countries worldwide to transform their healthcare systems for the betterment of their populations.
WONCA President, Anna Stavdal, with Bogi Eliasen, Director of Health at the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies and Prof Bettina Borisch, director of the World Federation of Public Health Associations