WONCA SAR 2025: A Milestone in India's Global Healthcare Leadership

By Dr Roshni Jhan Ganguly

Organizing Secretary -- WONCA SAR Conference 2025

India stands at the forefront of global healthcare reform, with a renewed focus on primary care, universal health coverage (UHC), and strengthening Family Medicine. The WONCA SAR Conference 2025, set to take place in Bengaluru, marks a historic moment in positioning India as a leader in global healthcare policy and innovation. This conference will serve as a hub for policy discussions, training programs, and international collaborations aimed at transforming primary healthcare in South Asia and beyond.

Evidence from the World Health Organization (WHO) and The Lancet Global Health highlights that countries with strong primary healthcare systems experience better health outcomes, reduced hospitalizations, and lower healthcare costs. The World Bank (2021) reported that nations investing in comprehensive primary care have a 30% lower mortality rate than those that do not.

Family Physicians are crucial to primary healthcare, ensuring continuity, accessibility, and affordability. However, in many countries, including India, only a fraction of physicians are formally trained in Family Medicine, leading to gaps in service delivery. WONCA SAR 2025 aims to address this by advocating for greater investments in Family Medicine training, standardization, and policy integration.

Global health experts recommend that at least 5%--6% of a country's GDP should be allocated to healthcare to ensure sustainable and equitable services. Strengthening primary care infrastructure, incentivizing Family Physicians, and integrating digital health solutions requires higher investment and efficient resource allocation.

The Ecology of Healthcare: Challenges in Accessibility & Affordability

The healthcare ecosystem is influenced by multiple factors, including:

• Workforce Shortages -- Insufficient Family Physicians and trained primary care providers.
• Financial Barriers -- High out-of-pocket expenses deter timely healthcare access.
• Geographical Disparities -- Rural and underserved areas face significant gaps in care.
• Fragmented Health Systems -- Lack of coordination between primary, secondary, and tertiary care.

WONCA SAR 2025: Driving Stakeholder & Policy Engagement

This conference will act as a catalyst for change, bringing together global healthcare leaders, policymakers, academicians, and frontline doctors to discuss scalable solutions for primary healthcare reform. Key highlights of WONCA SAR 2025 include:

• Keynote Speeches on various aspects of Family Medicine, delivered by renowned global experts.
• Integration & Importance of Digital Health and AI in strengthening primary care delivery.
• Green Conference & Planetary Health, emphasizing sustainable healthcare practices and climate-conscious health policies.
• International Collaborations, enhancing cross-border partnerships to improve healthcare systems.
• Primary Healthcare Models of Practice, showcasing best practices from different countries.
• Family Medicine Training Programs across South Asia, focusing on standardization and capacity building.

By facilitating experience-sharing, evidence-based policymaking, and innovative strategies, WONCA SAR 2025 will pave the way for stronger, patient-centric, and globally aligned primary healthcare systems.

Together, we can strengthen primary healthcare, advocate for impactful policies, and ensure universal health coverage for all. Join Us in Bengaluru!