2024 Snapshot

A Year in Global Family Medicine Highlights from WONCA’s Annual Report

FROM THE PRESIDENT A/PROF KAREN FLEG, WONCA PRESIDENT It has been an inspiring year of progress, collaboration, and renewed purpose for WONCA. In late 2023, I stepped into the role of President, guided by four core themes: Governance, Greening, Growth, and Gratitude. With the support of our dedicated Executive Committee, we have strengthened our internal bylaws, enhanced our regional networks, and advanced new initiatives for planetary health and sustainable practice.

Governance: Since taking up the role of President, I have focused on strengthening the foundation of our organisation. This year, our statutory committees and task forces introduced new policies—such as clearer declarations of interest and enhanced election procedures—to ensure transparency and accountability. By refining our governance, we reinforce public trust and support all those who serve in our global family of doctors.

Greening: Environmental responsibility has been at the core of our agenda. From implementing sustainable event guidelines at conferences to boosting awareness of planetary health, we strive to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the communities we serve. Our Working Parties on Environment and Rural Practice champion greener practices, reminding us that the health of our patients is intimately linked to the health of our planet.

Growth: WONCA continues to expand in both reach and capacity. We have welcomed new Member Organisations, fostered closer ties with the WHO, and agreed a fresh Memorandum of Understanding with PAHO. Meanwhile, our accreditation programs and young doctors’ initiatives build stronger pipelines for the next generation, ensuring that family medicine thrives in diverse settings worldwide.

Gratitude: None of these advances would be possible without the dedication of the Secretariat, Executive Committee, and each member who contributes to our mission. To every volunteer who supported our projects, advocated in the field, or mentored a future leader—your commitment fuels our progress.

Finally, it is fitting to recall the words of our first WONCA President, Dr Monty Kent-Hughes, who, in 1972, reminded us that “the future of our professional discipline will depend on our ability to work together in the service of humanity.” His vision still guides us today as we build on unity and collaboration to improve family medicine for everyone. A strong message to lead our work in 2025. I hope to see many of you in Lisbon!

WONCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IN SRI LANKA, MAY 2024

YOUNG DOCTORS' REPRESENTATIVE DR CHAN YUEN CHING CHERYL (HONG KONG) MEMBER AT LARGE & 2024-2025 WHO LIAISON DR MARÍA PILAR ASTIER PEÑA (SPAIN) WONCA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DR HARRIS LYGIDAKIS (GREECE) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA ASIA PACIFIC DR. BRIAN CHANG (TAIWAN) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA NORTH AMERICA DR VICTOR K NG (CANADA)

REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA IBEROAMERICANA-CIMF DR DORA PATRICIA BERNAL OCAMPO (COLOMBIA) WONCA PRESIDENT-ELECT DR VIVIANA MARTINEZ BIANCHI (USA/ARGENTINA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA EUROPE PROF SHLOMO VINKER (ISRAEL) WONCA PRESIDENT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR KAREN FLEGG (AUSTRALIA) WONCA IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT & 2023-2024 WHO LIAISON DR ANNA STAVDAL (NORWAY)

MEMBER AT LARGE & HONORARY TREASURER DR STEVE MOWLE (UK) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE ADJ PROFESSOR KAREN PRICE (AUSTRALIA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA SOUTH ASIA DR KANAPATHIPILLAI SRI RANJAN (SRI LANKA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA EAST MEDITERRANEAN DR ABDULAZIZ MAHMOOD NASSER AL-MAHREZI (OMAN) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA AFRICA DR JANE FRANCES NAMATOVU (UGANDA)

A HEALTHIER WORLD STARTS WITH STRONG PRIMARY CARE

MISSION

MEMBERS

At the heart of this work is our clear mission: To improve the quality of life of the peoples of the world by fostering high standards of care in general practice/family medicine.

WONCA is a global community of over 500,000 family doctors, united by 134 Member Organisations that shape family medicine education and practice.

Together, we form a powerful network spanning 131 countries and territories across seven regions.

Download Annual Report 2024

HOW WE WORK: A GLOBAL FAMILY

EXPERT-LED INITIATIVES

LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

WONCA’s Working Parties (WPs) and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) lead efforts on critical issues in family medicine, including mental health, patient safety, emergency medicine, and planetary health. These groups bring together clinicians, educators, and researchers to share expertise, develop guidelines, and influence global policy.

The WONCA Executive Committee, elected by members, provides strategic direction and governance, ensuring that WONCA remains responsive to the evolving needs of family medicine. Supporting this work, the WONCA Secretariat, based in Brussels, coordinates operations, communications, and member engagement.

SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION

SHARING KNOWLEDGE & PEER SUPPORT

The Young Doctors’ Movements (YDMs) provide a platform for early-career family doctors to connect, learn, and lead. Through mentorship, leadership training, and international exchange programs, young doctors gain new perspectives on primary care worldwide.

YDMs foster friendships and peer support, providing community in a demanding profession.

WONCA helps family doctors stay connected through publications, online resources, and networking platforms. The WONCA Membership Portal serves as a hub for training materials, mentorship opportunities, and professional discussions, offering a space for peer support and collaboration.

PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATIONS WONCA works closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), contributing to policies on primary healthcare, universal health coverage, and patient safety. Our collaborations extend to regional health organizations, medical societies, academic institutions, and advocacy groups, ensuring that family doctors have a strong voice.

CONFERENCES: LEARNING & COMMUNITY WONCA’s regional and world conferences bring together family doctors to share knowledge, debate new ideas, and shape the future of primary care. These gatherings are also an opportunity for reconnection and friendship, with social events and cultural exchanges that reinforce the sense of a global family of family doctors.

2024 AT A GLANCE Launched our most ambitious project to date - MDD Minds supporting mental health in primary care.

Strengthened WHO collaboration on universal health coverage Expanded accreditation services for postgraduate programs and community clinics

STRATEGIC PLAN

2023– 2027

GOAL 1: ADVANCING FAMILY MEDICINE

Objective 1.A Stimulate research, innovation, and the generation of new knowledge in and about family medicine.

Objective 1.B Enable communication and work within and between WONCA groups [1] and regions through enhanced use of digital technology Objective 1.C Support and facilitate the development of high quality general practice/family medicine throughout the world Objective 1.D Qualify and quantify our specialty [1] WONCA Groups for purposes of this plan = WONCA Working Parties (WPs) and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Young Doctors’ Movements (YDMs)

GOAL 2: ONE UNIFIED VOICE

Objective 2.A Promote WONCA and its messages, as well as Family Medicine and the unique contributions that family doctors make to the health of all people.

Objective 2.B Maintain and strengthen the WHO relationship Objective 2.C Strengthen development of relationships with other PHC organizations and other stakeholders Objective 2.D WONCA is a leader as a green organization

GOAL 3: TRANSFORMING WONCA

Objective 3.A Promote inclusivity within WONCA, enabling all views to be heard.

Objective 3.B Professionalise the internal governance and management of WONCA through training, leadership programs and improved procedures.

Objective 3.C Improve financial stability of WONCA Objective 3.D Ensure the organization meets its statutory obligations and is insured adequately against risks associated with the organization’s activities Objective 3.E Strategic Plan

WONCA & WHO PARTNERSHIP “Working side by side with WHO ensures that family medicine remains part of the global health equation, from the drafting of technical guidelines to the shaping of global policy.”

— Prof. Maria Pilar Astier Peña, WONCA’s WHO Liaison, pictured with WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

MAKING THE CASE FOR FAMILY MEDICINE GLOBALLY Since formalising our partnership in 1989, WONCA has leveraged its official relations with the World Health Organization to amplify the family doctor’s voice in global decisionmaking. This relationship is built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to universal health coverage, patient safety, and person-centred care.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024 In 2024, WONCA significantly expanded its partnership with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), with agreement on an memorandum of understanding (MoU). This agreement strengthens family medicine across the Americas and initiated a regionwide survey assessing primary care needs.

WONCA was also invited as an observer at PAHO’s 61st Directing Council and the WHO Regional Committee for the Americas.

WONCA experts led sessions during the WHO’s Global Patient Safety Action Plan reviews. Topics ranged from the safe use of antibiotics and better prescribing practices to the necessity of integrated care pathways that reduce gaps for patients with chronic conditions.

Our leaders delivered statements at the World Health Assembly addressing the need to integrate solutions for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and planetary health initiatives within primary care.

Under the guidance of WHO Liaison Officer Dr. María Pilar Astier Peña and WHO Primary Care Services Lead, Dr. John Fogarty, WONCA assessed its existing WHO collaboration and developed the new WHO-WONCA Action Plan 2025–2027.

Looking forward, WONCA will actively implement the new collaborative plan with WHO, continue engagement with the WHO Academy for primary healthcare training, and expand participation in global health initiatives.

WORKING PARTIES WONCA’s 10 Working Parties and 14 Special Interest Groups bring together experts to drive research, policy, training, and innovation in family medicine. A full report on their activities is available in the Annual Report, but here’s a just a sample the essential research, policy, advocacy, and education that ensures that WONCA remains at the forefront of innovation, evidence-based practice, and professional development.

WOMEN & FAMILY MEDICINE WONCA’s WP on Women and Family Medicine continued its efforts to improve gender equity in healthcare, with a focus this year on leadership development and support networks for women doctors. The group led high-profile webinars on genderbased violence and workplace challenges, in collaboration with WONCA’s Young Doctors’ Movements. A new mentorship program was launched to support women in family medicine leadership, helping to create pathways for more female representation in key decision-making roles. The Working Party also pushed for policy changes addressing gender disparities in healthcare leadership at regional and global levels.

E-HEALTH Digital health continues to reshape family medicine, and the Working Party on eHealth has been working to ensure that technology enhances, rather than disrupts, patient care. In 2024, the Working Party focussed on cybersecurity, and played a leading role researching digital health training needs, gathering insights to improve medical education. They also contributed to WONCA’s Assessment of Digital Systems, a new certification framework designed to evaluate the quality, safety, and scalability of digital health solutions in primary care.

MENTAL HEALTH Committed to integrating mental health fully into family medicine, this WP prioritised Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and anxiety management this year. They co-led the MDD Minds project (see Page 11), developing training materials, webinars, and practical resources for primary care.

RURAL PRACTICE

Rural WONCA advocates for stronger rural healthcare systems through education, policy, and global collaboration. In 2024, its focus was Ubuntu 2024, the 20th World Rural Health Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. The event, co-hosted with The Network: Toward Unity For Health (TUFH) featured field visits, networking, and key discussions, including the John Macleod Oration by Prof.

Dora Patricia Bernal Ocampo and a talk on Geographic Narcissism by Malin Fors. Rural WONCA also contributed to WHO rural equity and workforce initiatives.

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS EMERGENCY MEDICINE The Special Interest Group on Emergency Medicine supports family doctors in managing urgent and emergency care within primary care settings. In 2024, it strengthened its collaboration with WONCA’s Young Doctors Movements, organizing hands-on workshops at regional conferences on aggressive patients, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), ECG interpretation, and mass casualty management.

POLICY ADVOCACY The Policy Advocacy Special Interest Group helps family doctors influence health policy and primary care investment. In 2024, it led advocacy workshops, equipping doctors with skills to engage with governments, media, and health organizations. The group worked with regional leaders and WONCA’s WHO Liaison, pushing for better healthcare funding, improved working conditions, and stronger policy integration. A key achievement was the development of the WONCA Advocacy Toolkit, a practical resource to support doctors in shaping national and international health policies.

EMERGING PRACTICE MODELS FOR FAMILY MEDICINE The Emerging Practice Models Special Interest Group explores new approaches to delivering primary care in response to evolving healthcare needs. In 2024, the group analyzed innovative models of family medicine, including team-based care, digital health integration, and new funding mechanisms. It facilitated global discussions on adapting primary care delivery to better meet patient needs, workforce shortages, and technological advancements. A highlight was its workshop on practice transformation, which brought together clinicians and health system leaders to share successful strategies for enhancing primary care sustainability and efficiency.

The group continues to develop insights that help family doctors navigate the future of healthcare.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE The newly created Special Interest Group on Integrative Medicine explores how evidence-based complementary and traditional medicine can enhance family medicine. In 2024, it organized webinars and conference sessions on topics like mind-body medicine, herbal therapies, and lifestyle interventions.

By bridging conventional and complementary medicine, it promotes patientcentered, comprehensive care that aligns with global health needs.

FAMILY VIOLENCE With intimate partner violence and child abuse recognised as significant public health issues, this SIG focuses on equipping family doctors to identify, respond, and offer support. They led capacity-building workshops at regional conferences in 2024, published a statement on improving healthcare staff training, and collaborated with mental health advocates to highlight the emotional toll of familial abuse.

REGIONAL CONFERENCES WONCA’s regional conferences united family doctors to share expertise, address healthcare challenges, and strengthen networks, fostering innovation, collaboration, and professional development in primary care worldwide.

AFRICA

NAIROBI, KENYA, 5–8 JUNE Hosted by the Kenya Association of Family Physicians, tackling the central issue of universal health coverage in areas with limited resources. The event included: AfriWON Preconference: A workshop on leadership for junior doctors and community-driven research methodologies.

Maternal Care Innovations: Presentations on reducing maternal mortality through locally led quality-improvement cycles.

Telehealth Solutions: Discussions on using smartphone-based teleconsultations to reach isolated communities.

Cultural Evening: A vibrant showcase of African music and dance, reinforcing community ties among delegates.

SOUTH ASIA COLUMBO, SRI LANKA, 3-5 MAY Hosted by the College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka, the South Asia Conference drew attention to bridging gaps between rural and urban healthcare.

Spice Route (YDM) Leadership: Preconference activities on mentorship, mental health, and crossborder networking.

Regional Cooperation: Calls for formal fellowship programs that foster standardised training and stronger ties with government health ministries.

Forward-Looking Conclusions: Stakeholders agreed on the pressing need for policy frameworks that champion community-based interventions and technology-driven efficiencies.

EUROPE DUBLIN, IRELAND, 25–28 SEPT Over 2,400 attendees joined the Europe Conference, hosted by the Irish College of General Practitioners.

GP Well-Being: Workshops on “Time Needed to Treat” (TNT) and new models of scheduling to avoid burnout.

Planetary Health in Practice: The European region’s signature approach to weaving sustainability into clinical guidelines.

EYFDM (YDM) Preconference: An energised gathering spotlighting leadership pathways for young European family doctors, with emphasis on workforce resilience and cross-cultural patient communication.

2024 ASIA PACIFIC SINGAPORE, 21 - 24 AUGUST Hosted by the College of Family Physicians Singapore, this conference highlighted rapidly emerging digital health technologies. Key sessions included: AI-Driven Patient Management: Demonstrations of electronic triage systems that flag high-risk patients early.

Balancing Technology & Compassion: Ethical debates on using automated tools while preserving person-centred care.

Rajakumar Movement (YDM) Sessions: Interactive forums connecting young doctors with tech entrepreneurs, exploring new approaches to telemedicine in remote islands.

EAST MEDITERRANEAN AMMAN, JORDAN, 3–5 OCTOBER Hosted by the Jordan Society of Family Medicine, this meeting spotlighted telemedicine and eHealth, especially in conflict-affected regions. Al Razi (EMR YDM) worked with WHO EMRO on digital health adoption. Discussions underscored the need for unified policies to maximise tech solutions for vulnerable communities.

IBEROAMERICANA (CIMF) PANAMA CITY, 23 - 26 OCTOBER The Confederación Iberoamericana de Medicina Familiar (CIMF) Congress, hosted by the Panamanian Association of Family and Community Medicine, the event featured collaborations with PAHO and ministries of health. Waynakay (the Iberoamericana YDM) highlighted their public health campaigns on diabetes prevention and family medicine training. A closing statement affirmed the region’s commitment to social justice in healthcare.

NORTH AMERICA PHOENIX, USA, 22 SEPTEMBER The inaugural WONCA North America Convening was a successful gathering of family doctors from Canada, the USA, and the Caribbean. The event featured keynote speaker Dr Carlos Gonzales, explored core values including equity and compassion, celebrated awardees, and included workshops on medical education, climate change, and community medicine.

Participants committed to annual meetings to strengthen regional collaboration in family medicine.

CELEBRATING FAMILY DOCTORS On May 19th, family doctors around the world united to celebrate World Family Doctor Day (WFDD) 2024, highlighting the theme Healthy Planet, Healthy People.

This global campaign emphasized the crucial link between planetary health and human well-being, inspiring action across communities and healthcare organizations.

KEY MESSAGES

GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

1 ISSUE

WONCA member organisations embraced the theme with passion, organising climate-awareness workshops, street clean-ups, and public campaigns.

Many conferences featured sessions on eco-friendly clinics and the healthcare sector’s carbon footprint.

Social media engagement soared, showing that from Nigeria to Slovakia to Hong Kong, our global network stands united in promoting healthier living spaces.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS A HEALTH

The intricate connection between the health of our planet and the well-being of its people cannot be overstated. As the Earth faces unprecedented environmental challenges, from climate change to pollution and habitat destruction, the repercussions on human health become increasingly dire. These environmental changes contribute to a rise in communicable and non-communicable diseases, impact mental health, and exacerbate health disparities.

DOCTORS: CHAMPIONS 2 FAMILY OF PLANETARY HEALTH Family doctors witness the health impacts of climate change firsthand, from increased respiratory illnesses due to pollution to the spread of vector-borne diseases with changing climates. Their observations are crucial for understanding and combating the health effects of environmental changes. By documenting these impacts and leading by example in sustainable practices, family doctors can make significant contributions to mitigating climate change's health risks.

3 PRIMARY CARE IS KEY

The healthcare sector is a major polluter, accounting for 4.4% of global carbon emission. Primary care is key to cutting healthcare sector's carbon footprint. By focusing on early disease detection and lifestyle changes, it reduces the need for resource intensive medical treatments later.

This not only improves health outcomes but also significantly lowers emissions by minimizing energy-intensive procedures.

The growing success of WFDD each year proves its value in uniting family doctors around pressing global challenges. Going from strength to strength since 2010, WFDD 2024 reinforced that safeguarding our planet is not an optional extra but a natural extension of caring for our patients.

Primary Health Care plus Sustainable Health Care will lead to the WHO goal of Universal Health Coverage.

The collaborative video, created with the Young Doctors’ Movement and the WONCA Working Party on Planetary Health, reached 23,103 total views across platforms.

WATCH VIDEO

PROJECTS MDD MINDS WONCA’S MOST AMBITIOUS PROJECT YET. WONCA launched MDD Minds to strengthen the capacity of family doctors in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to diagnose and treat major depressive disorder (MDD)—the leading cause of disability worldwide.

Funded by an unrestricted grant from Pfizer, our WP on Mental Health developed this program to provide evidencebased training tailored to primary care settings. MDD Minds includes a self-paced online course (MDD Minds 101), a Trainthe-Trainer program, and a performance-in-practice initiative to enhance real-world application.

By merging evidence-based tools, local leadership, and advocacy for clinician self-care, MDD MINDS fosters improved detection rates, better patient engagement, and strengthened mental health capacity in diverse settings. It shows scalable approaches for primary care.

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING The Social Prescribing and Civic Engagement (SPACE) Project, funded

by Erasmus+ and led by the Centre for European Volunteering (CEV), combines social prescribing and volunteering to support cancer survivors across Europe, with potential for global reach. WONCA contributes through its Working Parties and Special Interest Groups, integrating social prescribing into primary care. SPACE connects cancer survivors with volunteering opportunities, especially in community gardens, to enhance recovery and well-being. Plans include pilot programmes in five countries, surveys among healthcare workers, and a practical handbook to help professionals implement social prescribing effectively worldwide.

CORE VALUES PROJECT Launched by past president Dr. Anna Stavdal, the WONCA Core Values Project highlights the need to raise awareness of family medicine’s core principles in a rapidly changing world. In 2024, regional workshops in South Asia and Europe explored culturally relevant values and challenges such as bureaucracy, funding, and training gaps. Led by Felicity Goodyear-Smith, Johann Sigurdsson, and Stavdal, the project will culminate in a book, set for publication in 2025. Findings will be shared at WONCA World Conference, in Lisbon in September 2025.

In 2024, WONCA launched the Project Labs initiative, designed to help Working Parties (WPs) and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) turn innovative ideas into complete project proposals ready for funding. The Project Labs provide structured support, including developing clear project frameworks with measurable goals, realistic budgets, detailed timelines, effective collaboration strategies, and polished proposal submissions to attract funding from philanthropists, sponsors, and grant agencies.

Project Labs are made possible through the generous support of the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), underlining their commitment to fostering collaboration and driving global progress in primary care.

YOUNG DOCTORS’ MOVEMENT Cultivating the Future of Family Medicine

The YDM represents the future of family medicine, uniting early-career family doctors through regional groups across seven regions. Each regional movement has its own leadership and activities, fostering professional growth, collaboration, and advocacy. Globally, YDM is led

by Dr. Cheryl Chan (Hong Kong).

EDUCATION & MENTORSHIP Young doctors benefited from structured leadership and mentorship initiatives in 2024. The ASPIRE Leadership Program addressed physician burnout through a global survey, while FM360 Global Exchange connected young doctors across borders. A new Mentorship Program paired early-career doctors with experienced colleagues from our Research Working Party, and the Donald Li YDM Global Scholarship was established to support young doctors.

“Through mentorship, we are not just shaping careers— we are shaping the future of primary care.”

– Brunee Dorsett, Chair of Polaris (YDM North America)

WEBINARS & DIGITAL LEARNING A series of collaborative webinars with WONCA working parties fostered global connections, covering topics from planetary health to emerging models of family medicine. CyberXFM, developed with INTERPOL, tackled cybersecurity in healthcare, highlighting risks in telemedicine.

YDM has innovated by making webinars multilingual, offering live translations in Spanish, Mandarin, and other languages to ensure accessibility and global reach. These virtual events, alongside inperson workshops, strengthened professional development and knowledge exchange, bringing together young doctors from diverse backgrounds to share expertise and collaborate on solutions

PRE-CONFERENCES Pre-conferences, held before WONCA regional conferences, provide young doctors with a dedicated space for networking, leadership development, and support. These events go beyond academic sessions, fostering work-life balance, mental well-being, and community building.

In 2024, they continued to grow, with highlights including the AfriWon Emergency Medicine Workshop in Nairobi, the WONCA APR Young Doctors’ Preconference in Singapore, and EYFDM’s pre-conference in Dublin, which hosted over 700 participants. Alongside these, events like the EYFDM Forum in Vienna strengthened professional and social connections throughout the year

WONCA ACCREDITATION

Setting Global Standards for Family Medicine

Since 2014, WONCA’s Accreditation Program has advanced quality and excellence in family medicine globally.

Accreditation helps healthcare providers, clinics, and educational programs achieve recognition by ensuring their services align with international standards. In 2024, WONCA expanded this program by relaunching the Assessment of Digital Systems and introducing the Development and Enhancement Program (DEP). Explore these services and start your accreditation journey on our newly redesigned webpage: accreditation.wonca.com.

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM ACCREDITATION WONCA’s Postgraduate Accreditation ensures family medicine training meets rigorous international standards. A notable 2024 accreditation was awarded to the Japanese Association for Primary Care (JPCA). Their four-year postgraduate program was commended for comprehensive training, structured mentorship, effective community health integration, and robust assessments, reflecting JPCA’s commitment to preparing skilled family doctors.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) ACCREDITATION WONCA’s CPD Accreditation evaluates and enhances professional development programs for family doctors, ensuring continuous improvement and high-quality education. Accredited CPD programs enable family physicians to remain skilled, updated, and effective, delivering optimal patient care aligned with the latest clinical evidence and practices.

PRACTICE ACCREDITATION WONCA’s Practice Accreditation recognizes primary care clinics for outstanding patient care and compliance with global standards. In 2024, the Haizhu Jiangnanzhongjie Community Health Centre in Guangzhou, China, was accredited for excellence in patient-centered care, privacy protection, and successful integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

ASSESSMENT OF DIGITAL SYSTEMS WONCA relaunched the Assessment of Digital Systems to certify digital health platforms, evaluating their effectiveness, scalability, and compliance with healthcare standards. In 2024, Ping An Good Doctor (PAGD) in Shanghai underwent detailed evaluation across 111 criteria. The platform significantly improved its capabilities since its initial review, achieving high scores for scalability, multidisciplinary service integration, and its innovative AI-driven tools for chronic disease management. PAGD’s accreditation highlights the critical role technology plays in enhancing primary care globally.

The Development and Enhancement Program (DEP) is designed to support healthcare organizations, medical universities, training institutions, and primary care practices in their journey toward continuous quality improvement and capacity building. Tailored to institutions not yet ready for full accreditation or those needing structured guidance to enhance their healthcare systems, the DEP provides personalized support to meet local healthcare needs, while aligning with global best practices. This program empowers institutions to strengthen their services, ensuring sustainable and scalable healthcare solutions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and organizational performance.

Visit: accreditation.wonca.com

AWARDS WONCA recognises and supports excellence in family medicine through awards that provide financial assistance, professional recognition, and global visibility. These awards highlight the achievements of family doctors worldwide, celebrating those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, leadership, and innovation in primary care.

MONTEGUT GLOBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM This award, established by the American Board of Family Medicine Foundation (ABFM-F) in 2010, enables family doctors to attend WONCA conferences, fostering education, research, and collaboration. Named in honor of Dr. Alain Montegut, a leader in international family medicine, the program empowers physicians dedicated to strengthening primary care worldwide.

FEATURED SCHOLAR: DR FATHIA NOUR Dr. Fathia Mohamed Nour, a Montegut Global Scholar, embodies the program’s goal of fostering leadership and knowledge exchange in family medicine. Funded to attend the WONCA Africa Conference in Nairobi, she delivered a powerful presentation on the successes and challenges of family medicine in Somaliland, earning a standing ovation. Inspired by discussions with global experts, she is now bringing WATCH back new insights on advocacy, policy, and medical education to further strengthen family medicine in her country. An interview with Dr. Nour, highlighting the impact of her journey. became our most-watched YouTube video, surpassing 50,000 views, WONCA is grateful to the ABFM-F for their ongoing support of this program.

MONTEGUT SCHOLARS 2024 Dr Bolatito Betty Fatusin, Nigeria - Africa Dr. Fathia Mohamed Nour, Somaliland - Africa Dr Jacqueline B. Javier-Catubig, Philippines - Asia Pacific Dr Maira Alejandra León Solarte, Colombia - Iberoamericana Dr Badreddine Sakouhi, Saudi Arabia - East Mediterranean Dr Rola Itani, Lebanon - East Mediterranean Dr Gokce Iscan, Turkey - Europe Dr Kathleen Singh, Trinidad and Tobago - North America Dr Pratyush Kumar, India - South Asia Dr Zainab Mohammad Anjarwala, Pakistan - South Asia

FIVE STAR DOCTORS 2024 WONCA’s Five Star Doctor Award recognizes family doctors who excel as care providers, decision makers, communicators, community leaders, and managers, with regional winners competing for global recognition biennially.

Dr Dan Abubakar, Nigeria Dr Karin Estepa-Garcia, Philippines Dr Maria Inez Padula Anderson, Brazil Dr Maisa Al Kiyumi, Oman Dr Nato Shengelia, Georgia

DONALD LI YOUNG DOCTORS’ MOVEMENT

GLOBAL SCHOLARSHIP

Dr Aldyth Buckland, Jamaica Dr Sanath Hettige, Sri Lanka

DONALD LI YDM SCHOLARSHIP This scholarship fund was created in 2024 by WONCA's former president, Dr. Donald Li, to help young family doctors from lower-income countries attend the WONCA World Conference.

The first scholarships will be awarded in 2025, helping young doctors build professional connections and develop their careers in primary care.

WONCA 2024 in numbers

134

8

1,267

Member Organisations

Regional Events

Direct Members

28

5

23.3%

Working Parties & Special Interest Groups

Staff

Social Media Growth

Member Organizations Worldwide 13 Member Organizations

51 Member Organizations

EAST MEDITERRANEAN

EUROPE 7 Member Organizations

8 Member Organizations

NORTH AMERICA SOUTH ASIA

AFRICA IBEROAMERICA 16 Member Organizations

13 Member Organizations

ASIA PACIFIC 25 Member Organizations

DOWNLOAD THE FULL ANNUAL REPORT 2024