WONCA Annual Report 2024 by WONCA

Annual Report 2024

Table Of Content

About WONCA

Executive Committee

President Report

President-Elect Report

Strategic Plan

CEO Report

World Family Doctor Day

MDD Minds Project

Honorary Treasurer Report

WHO Liaison Report

Member Organisations

Region Reports

Working Parties & Special Interest Groups

Young Doctor Movements

WONCA Awards

Closing Remarks

About WONCA

The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) is a not-for-profit organization and was founded in 1972 by member organizations in 18 countries. WONCA now has 134 Member Organizations in 108 countries and territories with membership of about 300,000 family doctors and more than 90 per cent of the world’s population. This includes twelve organizations in collaborative relations with WONCA. There are some 17 members in the Academic membership category, which consists of Academic Departments of Family Medicine Over 1346 individual general practitioners and family physicians have chose to join WONCA in their own right Membership of WONCA

WONCA represents and acts as an advocate for its constituent members at an international level where it interacts with world bodies such as the World Health Organization, with whom it has official relations as a non-governmental organization and is engaged in a number of collaborative projects The WONCA World Secretariat has transferred from Bangkok, Thailand to Brussels, Belgium in November 2020

WONCA Secretariat

Avenue des Arts 7-8 1210 Brussels, Belgium

World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians

WONCA's short name is World Organization of Family Doctors.

2024 at a Glance

Total number of members under MOs: 303,908

Social Media

13,552 3,611 5,580 4,055 2,004

Key Dates 2024

WONCA Africa Conference - Kenya, 5-8 June 2024

WONCA Asia Pacific Conference - Singapore, 21-24 August 2024

WONCA East Mediterranean Conference - Jordan, 3-5 October 2024

WONCA Europe Conference - Ireland, 25-28 September 2024

WONCA Iberoamerica Conference - Panama, 23-26 October 2024

WONCA North America Convening Meeting - USA, 22 September 2024

WONCA South Asia Conference - Sri Lanka, 3-5 May 2024

WONCA Rural Conference - South Africa, 10-13 September 2024

WONCA Executive Committee

A/Prof Karen Flegg

A/Prof Viviana Martinez-Bianchi

Dr Anna Stavdal

Prof Karen Price

Prof Maria Pilar Astier Pena

Dr Steve Mowle

Dr Jane Namatovu

Dr Brian Chang

Dr Abdulaziz Al Mahrezi

Prof Shlomo Vinker

Dr Dora Bernal

Dr Victor Ng

Dr K Sri Ranjan

Dr Cheryl Chan

President President-Elect

Immediate Past President (Up to 10/24)

Member at Large

Africa President

Asia Pacific President

East Mediterranean President

Europe President

Iberoamericana President

North America President

South Asia President

Young Doctor Representative

President Report

I had the privilege of taking up the great honour of becoming the WONCA President in October 2023, at the WONCA World conference in the city of my birth my Sydney Three words have summed up what I would like to focus on as WONCA PresidentGovernance Greening Growth but I begin this annual summary report with a fourth ‘G”, that of gratitude

Gratitude

Firstly, thank you to our Executive team (pictured) [KF1] for their support to me and hard work over the past year They have had six-weekly meetings and two face to face meetings during 2024 The WONCA Executive is a board of governance, and these colleagues have been elected by Council, their Regions or the Young Doctors Movement to represent you They are a fantastic team for me to work with and are all strong contributors

Dr Anna Stavdal, our immediate past president, finished eight consecutive years of service on the WONCA Executive, in October I acknowledge the work she has done in various roles over that time – in particular, as WONCA President, but also for some of the time as WHO liaison and WONCA Europe President From all at WONCA, thank you Anna

Thank you also to our CEO, Harris Lygidakis, and his team at the secretariat, Andrea Zard, Roberto Muñoz Sierra, Diarmuid Hayes and this year Joelle Mukena, for their hard work and diligence in serving WONCA and its members, committees, Working Parties and Special Interest Groups. Led by Harris, our team are doing the work that enables WONCA to operate – work that enables strong processes, excellent communication both within WONCA and with those outside WONCA, and maintains WONCA’s work and representation throughout the world. In this report, you will see the breath of the work they do, day in, day out, with projects, webinars, conferences and much more.

A huge thank you to the team for what they do for all of us, and I personally look forward to continuing to work with you in 2025

Also, in this report you will read of the many activities of our colleagues who lead and participate in our Working Parties and Special Interest Groups Dear colleagues, your work for WONCA is much valued and appreciated

Governance

Statutory committees

The Executive members who were selected to chair our statutory committees for October 2023 to September 2025 are:

·Dr Steve Mowle (UK) Treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee

·Adj Prof Karen Price (Australia) chair of the Bylaws and Governance Committee

Dr Victor Ng (Canada) chair of the Membership Committee

Dr Jane Namatovou (Uganda) chair of the Organizational Equity Committee

Assoc Prof Viviana Martinez- Bianchi (USA/Argentina), President-Elect and chair the Nominations and Awards committee

Thank you to these chairs and their committee members for the work that they have already done and must yet do in 2025 to ensure strong governance on behalf of everyone in WONCA All committee members’ names can be found here

I wish to highlight a few of the new governance initiatives arising from these committees The Organisational Equity committee has recommended that there be regional committees and Executive has approved this, with current work being done on the terms of reference for these The Bylaws and Governance committee has developed a Declaration of Interests Policy for Executive and committee members, and they will also have an Election procedures policy developed to govern the conduct of candidates in our 2025 elections

Taskforce on Membership and Voting

At the WONCA Council in Sydney, a new Taskforce on Membership and Voting, was created and this is chaired by Canadian colleague, Dr Francine Lemire The Taskforce has already completed a large amount of work to collect opinions through focus groups The groups have generated diverse and varied ideas relating to Membership and Voting issues in WONCA Informed by this input, members of the Taskforce are now considering the options, and will take those options to a Reference Group of regional representatives. The final report of the Taskforce will be presented to the WONCA 2025 World Council, in Lisbon.

This Taskforce has already undertaken a significant body of work with more to come in 2025 - thank you to Francine and her team Samantha Murton (NZ), Katharina Schmalstieg-Bahr (Germany), Tan Tze Lee (Singapore) and Henry Lawson (Ghana).

Statements on Safety of Health Personnel

The year was one which saw continuation of conflicts in several parts of the world The safety of health personnel, our patients and health facilities in conflict zones was particularly affected

Attacks on health personnel, facilities, and patients are blatant violations of international humanitarian law and the principles of medical neutrality. Such actions not only threaten the lives of those directly involved but also undermine access to essential care for entire communities, exacerbating human suffering. During the years 2022–2024, there were the highest number of incidents of attacks on healthcare personnel.

WONCA Executive approved three statements during 2024 relating to the safety of health personnel, particularly in conflicts zones. The most recent statement was in December 2024 where WONCA reinforced that protecting healthcare personnel is not optional; it is a moral and legal obligation that transcends borders, politics, and conflicts.

Greening

There has been a growing focus on planetary health in various conferences that I have been to this year I have been able to speak about planetary health at the WONCA Europe conference in Dublin, the Young Doctors’ meeting in Singapore, and at the Royal New Zealand College of GPs conference

Our WONCA conferences are making a difference by implementing a WONCA Planetary Health and Sustainable Events Policy developed by our WONCA Working Party on Planetary Health (WPPH)

Also in 2024, our WPPH has undertaken a survey to learn what actions our Member Organisations are taking to address climate change and improve planetary health, and how WONCA can better support them The results will help guide our future actions Read the British Journal of General Practice article on the results here

Healthy Planet, Healthy People

A major event of 2024 was having a planetary health theme for May 19 World Family Doctor Day “healthy planet, healthy people” This was a chance to consider what we can do to reduce the carbon footprint of our homes, our clinics, our communities, and in our consultations

My two favourite recommendations are Enrique Barros’ “one minute for the planet” during patient consultations, and the knowledge that if we were able to stop the use of metered dose aerosol inhalers, we would reduce the carbon footprint of primary care by 10%

The green theme for World Family Doctor Day on May 19 was a huge success

The Lancet Commission

I am privileged to serve on The Lancet Commission on Sustainable Healthcare Executive Committee with highly knowledgeable colleagues from around the world. I attended their executive committee meeting in March this year, with Enrique Barros (Brazil), past chair of our Working Party on planetary Health The meeting was a strong reminder of the fact that health care is a major emitter of environmental pollutants that adversely affect health The healthcare industry is responsible for nearly 5 2% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and similar fractions of toxic air pollutants

Growth

Conferences 2024

It’s well known that I think WONCA conferences are a fantastic opportunity to meet new colleagues, renew old friendships and exchange ideas and network In 2024, I was able to attend WONCA Asia Pacific in Singapore, WONCA South Asia in Colombo, WONCA Europe in Dublin and WONCA Rural in Cape Town Our President Elect, Viviana Martinez-Bianchi was able to attend WONCA Africa in Nairobi, WONCA CIMF Iberoamericanca in Panama City, WONCA South Asia in Colombo and a WONCA North America region meeting – a preconference to the American Academy of Family Physicians conference in Phoenix.

In Sri Lanka, it was an honour to be awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the College of GPs of Sri Lanka (CGPSL) – pictured with (l to r) Dr D Mathew (president CGPSL), Dr K Sri Ranjan (WONCA South Asia region president) An honour of a different type in Sri Lanka, was to visit a remote clinic at the Primary care Divisional Hospital Katugahahena I was impressed by the high level of organisation in a limited resource setting and their philosophy of “Health for All” – a philosophy we should all hold

One of my great privileges for 2024 happened at the WONCA Europe conference in Dublin This was to acknowledge to work of one of our WONCA Past Presidents, Prof Michael Boland (pictured) for the Irish College of GPs at the inauguration of an award in his name Michael Boland served as President from 2001 to 2004, and one of his peers said that “His presidential years were stellar Michael was a wonderful human being, a great leader, and inspiration to WONCA organizations globally” Read about Michael Boland’s amazing contribution to our discipline here

At the WONCA Asia Pacific conference, I enjoyed the reconnection with my colleagues from my own region, in the beautiful setting of Singapore, where I always feel welcome. I was also able to reconnect with past WONCA CEO, Dr Alfred Loh while doing a practice visit at the Raffles Medical Group.

The announcement that our discipline is moving towards being given specialty recognition, in Singapore, was an important step that I’d like to see in all countries of the world. Congratulations to my College of Family Physicians of Singapore friends who are making this happen.

WHO

APR conference panel discussion from left to right - Dr Suraj Kumar (CFPS Vice President), WONCA President, Dr Brian Chang, (WONCA APR President) and Dr Wong Tien Hua (CFPS President)

Many of you have read that WONCA executive met in London in September, and we were delighted to host Dr John Fogarty, our WHO liaison person who is also head of primary care WHO It was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and consider the future for WONCA and the WHO You can read more of the detail about that meeting here.

WONCA has actively reinforced its collaboration with the WHO through significant contributions in 2024 and we have a new collaborative plan for interaction 2025-2027 and a new Memorandum of Understanding with PAHO.

At the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, WONCA participated in various Non-State Actor (NSA) side events, fostering partnerships to strengthen primary care globally We also delivered a statement highlighting the pivotal role of family medicine in managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and advocating for a person-centred care model rather than a disease-oriented approach

More information about all activities with WHO is provided in the report by our WHO Liaison person Prof Maria Pilar Astier Peña

WONCA Strategic Plan 2023-27

One of our key leadership activities developed last year, in 2023 was of formulating a strategic plan for WONCA 2023-2027 As many of you know this began with a SWOT analysis (strengths weaknesses opportunities and threats) conducted with multiple focus groups, people from a variety of regions, groups, career stage and engagement within our organisation The CEO and secretariat are now implementing actions to address the objectives of the plan The CEO provides updates to each Executive meeting, and we will report on progress at our World Council meeting in Lisbon in 2025 Please refer to the Strategic Plan document on page 12

Mentorship initiatives

One very exciting initiative is that our Young Doctors’ movement (YDM) has commenced a YDM global mentorship project Also, our WONCA Working Party on Research (WWPR) research mentorship program in collaboration with the Young Doctors' Movement has sought out experienced researchers to mentor and equip young family physicians with essential skills and knowledge in primary care research through a structured mentorship framework

I would like to acknowledge our Past President Dr Donald Li, of Hong Kong, whose personal generosity has enabled the creation of the Donald Li YDM Global Scholarship to support to three young doctors from LMICs the opportunity to attend the WONCA World Conference 2025 in Lisbon Donald hopes that “at WONCA World conferences the young doctors hopefully can see a bright “future” Successful, accomplished family doctors, leaders, advocates and role models ” Thank you to Donald Li for this generous support.

I was privileged to give a WONCA Special Interest Group on Policy Advocacy webinar describing my own leadership journey. Having a mentor then being a mentor was part of this talk. I also encouraged younger colleagues to say “yes” when interesting opportunities are presented, and to “have a go” at things they may not feel comfortable with. I am delighted WONCA is taking steps in mentorship programs which no doubt will produce benefits to our organisation in future.

Looking Forward to 2025

Like my predecessors, I look for growth despite our limited budget To better position us for the growth which our CEO is leading, I will continue strong governance in WONCA strengthening internal policies It will be a joy in 2025 to meet with more colleagues at conferences, see you at work in clinics and listen to your views. I believe your elected representatives must be accessible to members, and seen at WONCA conferences, in particular. There is a balance to strike with budgetary and carbon footprint implications. In 2024, the President-elect and I have split our attendance at conferences. Viviana and I were together at the WONCA South Asia region conference, which was followed by an Executive meeting. We made a colourful and honoured pair in Colombo (pictured).

I encourage you all to consider whether you might submit an abstract or a poster or just attend and one of our WONCA region events or our World conference in 2025. Conference details for 2025 can be found on this page at the WONCA website.

Finally, it is appropriate to reflect on the words of our first WONCA President, another Australian, Dr Monty Kent-Hughes, who when speaking to the first WONCA meeting in 1972 said “the future of our professional discipline will depend on our ability to work together in the service of humanity ” A strong message to lead our work in 2025

I hope to see many of you in Lisbon in September 2025

Associate Professor Karen Flegg WONCA President. karen.flegg@wonca.com

President-Elect Report

This past year as WONCA President-Elect has been a journey of listening, learning, and advocating for family medicine as the cornerstone of strong, equitable health systems Across continents, I have witnessed the passion and resilience of family doctors working on the frontlines of care

Throughout this journey, I am honored to support WONCA President Karen Flegg in her leadership advancing WONCA’s mission, I work closely with CEO Harris Lygidakis and collaborate with our amazing WONCA Executive Team and Secretariat, whose dedication and vision continue to shape the future of our global organization

Uniting Regions, Strengthening Partnerships, and Amplifying Our Voice

From Nairobi to Sri Lanka, Panama to North America, one truth remains: family doctors are the heart of health systems, resilient in the face of challenges, deeply committed to their patients, and dedicated to their communities. Everywhere I have been whether standing in the halls of international policy discussions, meeting young doctors filled with hope, or walking through clinics that serve the most vulnerable I have witnessed the transformative power of family medicine.

Yet, some of the most inspiring moments were not just in high-level meetings or policy forums. They were in the stories of young doctors traveling for days by bus amidst airline strikes to attend the Argentine conference in Tucuman, in the health workers in Nairobi who continue their work despite immense challenges, in the one-to-one conversations with colleagues, and in the students and young doctors who joined in person and virtually to dream about the future of family medicine.

Engaging WONCA regions

Engaging with regional leaders has been a priority I have aimed to understand the challenges and strengths of family medicine across different regions to better advocate for their needs and highlight their strengths Through visits and dialogue, I have reinforced WONCA’s commitment to inclusivity and collaboration

WONCA South Asia Region Conference (May 2024, Sri Lanka) Inclusivity and Innovation: The WONCA South Asia Conference in Sri Lanka highlighted the region’s remarkable growth in family medicine I had the honor of delivering a plenary session titled 'Family Doctors Improving Health for All – Health Equity as a Personal Value,' emphasizing the critical role of family physicians in achieving universal health coverage Additionally, I co-chaired a symposium on 'Understanding and Responding to Health Issues of the LGBTIQ Community,' which was a courageous and impactful discussion led by a multidisciplinary team of experts I left South Asia inspired, and extremely thankful to our amazing hosts

WONCA Africa Region Conference (June 2024, Kenya) Drumming for Change: The WONCA Africa Regional Conference in Nairobi, was a vibrant celebration of innovation and commitment to primary care I participated in the PRIMAFAMED Preconference where I engaged with educators and researchers committed to strengthening family medicine training across the continent, I participated in a fireside chat on empowering women for impact organized by the WONCA Africa Working Party on Women and Family Medicine (and wow! What amazing stories we all heard!) and co-hosted a workshop on innovative service delivery models for equity and inclusivity. Visiting the South Kibera Health Centre and Jericho Health Centre showed both the challenges and the incredible dedication of health workers serving marginalized communities.

WONCA Iberoamericana Region Congress (October 2024, Panama), Strengthening ties: This congress was an incredible showcase of the passion and dedication within the region’s family medicine community. I had the privilege of attending the CIMF region council meeting where I conducted a workshop and engaged in critical discussions on regional strengths and challenges. During the conference, I delivered a keynote on the role of family doctors in achieving health for all, and I co-led a hands-on procedures workshop alongside colleagues from Ecuador, promoting skill-sharing and education. A significant highlight was the historic commitment signed by regional leaders to strengthen and implement family medicine practices, symbolizing a collective vision for the future. In addition, I participated in a special meeting with leaders from Guatemala, supporting the development of the country’s first Family Medicine residency program withing the IGSS, set to launch in 2025

WONCA North America Conference (September 2024, USA): The first WONCA NA regional conference was a success, with discussions on primary care, indigenous health, climate change, and core values in family medicine I joined regional leaders to explore the Global Core Values for Family Medicine with health equity emerging as the top shared value I also delivered the inaugural Dan Ostergaard Global Health Keynote at the FMX Global Health Summit, inspiring participants to advocate for health equity on both global and local scales In addition, I addressed the AAFP Congress of Delegates on behalf of WONCA, thanking them for their leadership and reaffirming our global collaboration

The XXII Congress of the Federación Argentina de Medicina Familiar y General (FAMFyG) (Tucumán, Argentina): an extraordinary gathering of over 500 family doctors, educators, and trainees from across Argentina, including regions as far as Southern Patagonia, and Northern, Salta, Jujuy, and Misiones I had the honor of delivering a keynote address, emphasizing the critical role of family doctors in achieving equitable healthcare and strengthening primary care systems. The passion and determination of the Argentine YDM leaders reaffirmed my belief in the future of family medicine. Beyond the conference, I was invited by the Municipality of Tucumán to speak at a special event for primary healthcare teams at the city's municipal theater, and visited several public primary health care units, meeting with dedicated healthcare workers and officials from the city’s Ministry of Health.

Advocacy and Policy Advancements

Over the past year, I have actively championed family medicine through key involvements, including:

PAHO-WONCA Collaboration: I have been closely involved in the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between WONCA and PAHO, with the goal of strengthening family medicine across the Americas, and on a survey of Family Medicine in the Americas.

Engagement with Ministries of Health: In June, I participated in the Primary Care “Embassy Series” event at the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D C , hosted by PAHO in partnership with the American Board of Family Medicine Foundation (ABFM) and the Center for Professionalism & Value in Healthcare. This event brought together ministers of health and policymakers from across the Americas to highlight the critical role of primary care in resilient health systems. I emphasized the importance of family medicine in building resilient health systems. Organizational Equity: I initiated workshops to encourage the creation of Organizational Equity Committees (OECs) in each region, fostering greater representation and inclusion in shaping WONCA’s future WONCA Political Advocacy Webinar: Shared insights on advocacy and leadership in a session hosted by the WONCA SIG on Policy and advocacy

Collaboration

Regular meetings with Chairs of Working Parties (WPs) and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) have focused on enhancing cross-regional collaboration, setting clear objectives, and exploring opportunities for joint projects.

Workshops on Organizational Equity: Led initiatives to ensure all WONCA regions have representation and an active voice within our global structure. National Medical Association (the largest and oldest organization representing African American physicians and their patients in the USA): Delivered a keynote on health equity and participated in a roundtable on overcoming barriers to influenza vaccination for underserved populations

Virtually, I addressed a Government of Mexico panel on best practices in primary care workforce development with esteemed colleagues from UNAM, and I presented on health equity and the role of family doctors to the XII Congreso Internacional de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria of Peru and to the Universidad del Cauca, Colombia.

Looking Ahead

As I transition into my last year as WONCA President-elect, and prepare for my time as President, I am eager to build on the progress made in 2024 The upcoming years will focus on strengthening family medicine’s role in universal health coverage, fostering global partnerships, ensuring equity in primary care delivery, and growing our organization to fulfill its mission and dream Together, we will continue advocating for a future where family doctors play a central role in achieving health for all

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

STRATEGIC PLAN 2023–2027

MISSION:

To improve the quality of life of the peoples of the world.

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

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

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

Message from the CEO

In 2024, WONCA continued its mission to improve global health and quality of life through the promotion of strong family medicine and primary care. I extend my deepest appreciation to our worldwide community, whose collective commitment continually advances this work.

Strengthening Family Medicine through Three Key Focus Areas

1. Advocacy

During the year, we achieved a significant milestone by completing the Pan American Health Organization engagement process, resulting in official relations status. This enables representatives from the North America and Iberoamericana Regions to participate in PAHO’s regional meetings and strengthens primary care’s voice in global health policy. Concurrently, our collaboration with the World Health Organization intensified through the development of a comprehensive collaborative plan for the 2025–2027 triennium, which underwent extensive due diligence and negotiation. It is intended to support global primary care policy initiatives that address the diverse needs of communities worldwide.

The World Family Doctor Day, celebrated under the theme “Healthy Planet, Healthy People,” underscored planetary health and sustainability in primary care, supported by a toolkit that encouraged Member Organizations to host local activities worldwide WONCA participated in several other important public-health campaigns in 2024, such as World Patient Safety Day and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, expanding our advocacy reach

2. Capacity Development

WONCA’s flagship mental health initiative, the MDD Minds project, moved forward toward its final event scheduled for March 2025 in Brussels Aligning this work with the 2025 World Family Doctor Day theme on mental resilience offers an excellent opportunity to amplify our advocacy on mental health in primary care In parallel, our participation in the Social Prescribing and Civic Engagement (SPACE) project, which secured Erasmus+ support, highlights the transformative potential of social prescribing

Additional programs, such as a research mentorship program and the advocacy project focused on mental health leadership in primary care, further broaden our capacity-development portfolio.

WONCA successfully advanced accreditation efforts advanced through evaluations in Japan and China, alongside the assessment of Ping An Good Doctor, an expansion of our commitment to certify and guide technology-driven healthcare solutions. We also launched the Development and Enhancement Program, a tailored consultancy service that supports organizations seeking to develop capacity and improve quality on education, practices, research and other areas.

WONCA’s commitment to regional engagement was reflected in the 2024 conferences held in Africa, South Asia, Asia Pacific, Europe, East Mediterranean, the Iberoamericana Regions along with the inaugural WONCA North America Convening The Working Party on Rural Practice also partnered with The Network: Towards Unity for Health to organize a conference in Cape Town Additionally, WONCA continued developing key resources, including the an updated eHealth lexicon, the Core Values in Family Medicine, and a series of webinars to promote open dialogue and exchange of knowledge in global primary care

Our membership portal, hosting over 4,500 participants, continued to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and resource-sharing, while upgraded communication strategies, including a revamped accreditation website and increased social media outreach, bolstered our global profile Strengthening operational efficiency remained a priority; renewed financial and organizational processes have deepened institutional resilience and improved our readiness to support future initiatives

I am grateful to the Executive Committee, regional leaders, the Secretariat staff, and every WONCA member for their commitment to building a healthier world through primary care. Together, we continue to make progress toward placing family medicine at the center of efforts to provide equitable, high-quality healthcare across diverse settings worldwide.

World Family Doctor Day 2024 Healthy Planet, Healthy People

On May 19th, family doctors worldwide came together to celebrate World Family Doctor Day (WFDD) 2024, focusing on the theme Healthy Planet, Healthy People. This year’s campaign emphasized the critical link between planetary health and human well-being, engaging family doctors, medical organizations, and communities across the globe.

Campaign Highlights

Social Media & Video Engagement

WFDD 2024 saw record-breaking engagement across our platforms, demonstrating the global enthusiasm for the campaign:

The collaborative video, produced in partnership with the Young Doctors' Movement and the WONCA Working Party on Planetary Health, achieved 23,103 total views across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, making it our highest-reaching post ever on Instagram

Over 3,559 supporters used our Twibbon campaign, surpassing last year’s numbers

Press & Media Engagement

Two virtual press conferences featured expert discussions on planetary health, highlighting the role of family doctors in addressing environmental challenges As trusted sources of information in their communities, family doctors have a unique capacity to communicate the shifting landscape of planetary health challenges and advocate for solutions

Global Activities

WFDD 2024 was celebrated with enthusiasm across the world Here is a sample of the many activities that took place:

India: Tree-planting, road-cleaning initiatives, and sustainability-focused community engagement in Bengaluru.

Slovakia: "Stepwalking" events where GPs walked with patients to promote exercise.

Hong Kong: A press conference rallying healthcare leaders to advocate for planetary health.

Nigeria: Planting 300 trees at health institutions.

Venezuela: A rural medical outreach event serving over 400 patients.

World Family Doctor Day 2024

Healthy Planet, Healthy People

The Urgency of Planetary Health

Human activities that disrupt Earth's natural systems directly affect our health, and protecting the environment is essential for our well-being. The healthcare sector itself is a significant contributor to climate change, accounting for 4.4% of global emissions. Strengthening primary care and preventing disease is key to reducing this footprint while improving health outcomes worldwide.

Looking Ahead

The overwhelming response to WFDD 2024 underscores the dedication of family doctors to both community health and environmental sustainability We are proud of how our members embraced this year’s theme, and we hope the campaign will inspire lasting action for planetary health

Thank you to everyone who participated your efforts made WFDD 2024 a truly global success!

MDD MINDS Initiative: From Concept to Impact

The MDD MINDS Initiative was conceived by to equip family doctors with practical knowledge and resources to better identify, treat, and manage major depressive disorder in primary care. It focuses on providing locally relevant training, fostering collaboration among clinicians, and improving the overall quality of mental health services for their communities.

Through a phased approach online education, train-the-trainer workshops, and practical implementation MDD MINDS empowered family doctors across nine countries (Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka) to improve patient outcomes The project was implemented between WONCA, its Working Party on Mental Health, and Mosaica Solutions

The funding

This project is funded by an unrestricted grant from Pfizer*

*An unrestricted grant is a form of funding provided to an organization without specific limitations or conditions imposed on its use This means there are no restrictive guidelines or specific requirements dictating how the money should be spent, nor any influence on the content or outcome of the program In this case, WONCA Association has the freedom to implement the program according to its principles and maintaining its autonomy

Why This Initiative?

Depression remains a leading cause of disability worldwide, yet many people lack timely diagnosis and consistent access to care The MDD MINDS Initiative arose from the urgent need to strengthen primary care services by equipping family doctors with practical methods to identify and manage major depressive disorder This approach acknowledges the high prevalence of undetected depression in diverse communities and positions primary care teams to deliver accessible, culturally relevant support to patients who might otherwise be overlooked

“The self-care module was vital. It not only improved my professional skills but also helped me maintain my own mental health.” MDD MINDS 101 Learner

Phase 2: MDD MINDS 101 – Online Learning at Scale

To establish a foundation for clinical competence, the MDD MINDS 101 online curriculum enrolled nearly 2,900 clinicians, with 581 completing all seven thematic modules a 20 percent completion rate that surpassed typical benchmarks. The modules covered core content such as evidencebased diagnostic tools (e g , the PHQ-9), culturally sensitive patient engagement strategies, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, managing co-morbidities (including diabetes and cardiovascular disease), shared decision-making, and clinician self-care Evaluations showed a marked increase in learner confidence from an average score of 60% before the course to 82% upon completion indicating that participants felt significantly more prepared to care for patients with depression

Phase 3: Train-the-Trainer – Empowering Local Leadership

Building on the online curriculum, 226 physicians progressed into a Train-the-Trainer program where they received more in-depth instruction on motivational interviewing, shared decisionmaking, and community outreach At least 126 of these participants completed the program and conducted 142 workshops that reached 1,697 additional providers in their local communities This multiplier effect ensures broader dissemination of best practices and greater adoption of systematic depression care

“Discussions with specialists and peers broadened my view of comprehensive care and helped me train others in my region.”

TtT Scholar

Phase 4: Performance in Practice – Bringing Change to the Clinic

To translate training into patient outcomes, seven primary care practices in Brazil, Japan, and Nigeria piloted a systematic depression screening for adults with diabetes. In total, 1,011 diabetic patients were evaluated, with 22.4 percent screening positive for depression. This confirmed the high prevalence of depression in vulnerable patient populations and demonstrated that structured screening methods can significantly improve diagnosis and follow-up. Practice teams worked with local champions to incorporate care pathways and referral protocols, showcasing the viability of quality-improvement cycles in primary care.

“We live in a busy setting where many competing demands push mental health aside. This project highlighted how a systematic approach can bring clarity and better outcomes for patients.”

Performance in Practice Participant

Sustained Impact and Future Direction

The MDD MINDS Initiative achieved its goals of enhancing clinician competence, driving practice transformation, and reinforcing self-care for healthcare teams It also highlighted the practical advantages of maintaining regional leaders who can adapt global guidelines to local cultural and policy contexts Looking ahead, there are opportunities to:

Translate modules into additional languages to expand reach

Refine and replicate the Performance in Practice model for other chronic conditions

Continue advocating for clinician wellness as a core component of effective patient care

The MDD MINDS Initiative demonstrates that primary care teams, when equipped with practical training and supported by local community leaders, can significantly improve outcomes for patients experiencing depression. Across nine countries, participants gained the tools and confidence to integrate mental health interventions into day-to-day practice, driving better detection rates, patient engagement, and provider well-being.

We want to extend our gratitude to every participant and partner whose commitment made this project possible.

Honorary Treasurer Report

I am delighted to present my second annual finance report as Treasurer of WONCA The organization remains financially sound as confirmed by our annual audit carried out by Grant Thornton and reported to the Executive Board

The financial year 2024 concluded with a surplus of approximately USD 50,000, achieved against total revenues of approximately USD 975,000 This positive result reflects prudent fiscal management and operational efficiency, particularly notable given that 2024 did not include revenue typically generated by hosting a WONCA World Conference

Much progress has been made towards the engagement of a Core Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) which I have been delighted to be heavily involved with The core PCO will allow member organisations to host the world conference without incurring potential financial losses and also gain from the expertise of a PCO running consecutive WONCA Conferences We very much hope this will help develop our conferences to an even higher quality and increase engagement by Family Doctors around the world. We plan to hold virtual events in the first quarter of 2025 to further discuss the Core PCO proposal with member organisations.

The Finance Committee met 4 times in 2024 with excellent participation and engagement from committee members from around the world. The committee consists of Regional Treasurers and members (mainly former board members) who bring a huge amount of expertise and institutional memory.

In 2025 we plan to develop an investment policy to present to the Finance Committee, to optimize the return on our modest cash reserves

In 2024, the CEO and his team appointed a new accountant which has improved accuracy and reporting to the Finance Committee

We remain committed to being aware of our carbon footprint, particularly around flights and now routinely take this into account when planning executive board meetings

WONCA greatly appreciates the financial support from its members, but we are also very aware of the difficult financial circumstances that many member organisations are facing, following the pandemic, and continue to pursue opportunities to diversify income streams

I am very grateful to the committee members and the secretariat for the smooth running of the Finance Committee

Best wishes

Dr Steve Mowle MBE FRCGP WONCA Treasurer

WHO Liaison Report

Role Overview

Commencing in January 2024, under the guidance of Dr Anna Stavdal, WONCA World past-president, my tenure as WHO Liaison Officer has focused on strengthening WONCA’s collaboration with WHO Key activities have centered on supporting universal health coverage (UHC), patient safety, and capacity building within primary care

Key Activities and Achievements

Preparation for the 156th World Health Assembly (WHA):

Participated in five online meetings with Non-State Actors (NSA) and Foundations in official relations with WHO

Contributed to the development and delivery of statements for NSA participation

Assessment and elaboration of the WHO Action Plans in coordination with the WHO Officer, Dr John Fogarty:

Conducted an assessment of the 2022-2024 Action Plan

Contributed to the elaboration of the 2025-2027 Action Plan with three main goals: Primary Care Services Package Development within Universal Health Coverage Initiative

Global Patient Safety Action Plan: Offered expert inputs, developed and disseminated promotional materials, and participated in global advocacy to emphasize patient safety focused in primary healthcare.

Family and Community Medicine Education: Collaborated on standardizing criteria for family and community medicine postgraduate curricula.

Key Activities and Achievements

Strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC):

Collaboration on the UHC Compendium, particularly on the Primary Care Services Package, palliative care, and rehabilitation packages, engaging members of WONCA’s Working Parties (WP) and Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

Supported pilot testing of the Clinical Decision-Making App, featuring algorithms, in partnership with WHO Academy.

Participation in the 156th WHA, May 2024:

Represented WONCA alongside Drs Stadval and Lygidakis in Geneva, engaging with WHO departments and NSAs to foster collaboration on key projects

Delivered a statement on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) for agenda item 11 2

Contributed to a constituency statement on climate change (agenda item 15 4)

Advancing Global Patient Safety:

Participated in the WHO Consultation Meeting in September 2024

Celebrated World Patient Safety Day with the theme of promoting safer diagnostic processes in healthcare

Contributed to the annual assessment of the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 20212030.

Family Medicine Capacity Building:

Facilitated internal communications with WONCA Regions, WP and SIGs to ensure alignment and engagement with WHO initiatives.

Promoted the newly launched WHO Academy and WONCA’s involvement in its PHC training courses

Future Directions

WONCA will continue its technical contributions to WHO projects, prioritizing: The implementation of the Collaborative Plan 2025-2027

Collaboration on the PHC App and WHO Academy initiatives.

Expanding participation in global health programs.

Ensuring quality, equity, and safety in healthcare delivery through strengthened partnerships and advocacy efforts.

Dr Maria Pilar Astier Pena Member-at-Large and WHO Liaison

Full Member Organizations (121)

Austria

Bahrain

Bangladesh

France

Georgia

Ghana Society of Family Physicians of Ghana

Greece Greek Association of General Practitioners

Greece Greek College of General Practitioners

Greece Hippocrates, Association of General Practitioners

Hong Kong The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians

Hungary Hungarian Research Organization of Family Physicians

Iceland The Icelandic College of General Practitioners

India Academy of Family Physicians of India

India Indian Medical Association College of General Practitioners

Indonesia Indonesian Society of Teachers in Family Medicine

Indonesia The Indonesian Association of Family Physicians

Iran Iranian Society of General Practitioner

Iraq Iraqi Family Physicians Society

Ireland Irish College of General Practitioners

Israel Israel Association of Family Physicians

Italy Accademia Italiana Cure Primarie - ETS

Jamaica The Caribbean College of Family Physicians

Japan Japan Primary Care Association

Jordan Jordan Society of Family Medicine

Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Association of Family Physicians

Full Member Organizations (121)

Country MemberOrganizationName

Kenya

Korea

Academy of Family Medicine

Kosovo Association of Family Physicians of Kosovo

Kuwait Kuwait Association of Family Physician and General Practitioners

Lebanon Lebanese Society of Family Medicine

Lesotho Lesotho Medical Association

Liberia Society of Family Physicians of Liberia

Libya Libyan General Practice Society

Lithuania The College of Family Physicians of Lithuania

Luxembourg Société Scientifique Luxembourgoise de Médecine Générale

Macau Associacao dos Medicos de Clinica Geral de Macau

Macedonia Association of General Practitioners of Macedonia

Malaysia Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia

Malaysia The Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists' Association

Malta Malta College of Family Doctors

Mexico Mexican College of Family Medicine

Mongolia Mongolian Association of Family Medicine Specialists

Morocco National Collective of Moroccan General Practitioners

Myanmar

Medical Association, General Practitioners' Society

Nepal General Practitioners' Association of Nepal

Netherlands Dutch College of General Practitioners

New Zealand The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

Nicaragua Asociación Nicaraguense de Medicina Familiar

Nigeria Faculty of Family Medicine, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria

Nigeria Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria

Norway Norwegian College of General Practice

Pakistan

and

Society of Family Physicians, Lahore

Pakistan College of Family Medicine Pakistan

Palestine

Association of Family Medicine

Panama Asociación Panamena de Medicina Familiar

Paraguay Paraguayan Society of Family Medicine

Peru

Society of Family and Community Medicine

Philippines Philippine Academy of Family Physicians

Poland The College of Family Physicians in Poland

Portugal Portuguese Association of General Practice and Family Medicine

Romania Romanian National Society of Family Medicine

Russia All

Serbia

South Africa

African Academy of Family Physicians

Spain Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine

Sri

Sweden

Switzerland

Syria

Taiwan

Taipei Association of Family Medicine

Tajikistan Public Organization National Association of Family Medicine Workers of Tajikistan

Thailand The General Practitioners/Family Physicians Association of Thailand

Turkey Turkish Association of Family Physicians

Uganda Association of Family Physicians of Uganda

Ukraine Ukrainian Association of Family Medicine

United

Full Member Organizations (121)

Associate Member Organizations

WONCA Regions

DR JANE NAMATOVU - UGANDA

WONCA AFRICA PRESIDENT

DR BRIAN CHANG - TAIWAN

WONCA ASIA PACIFIC PRESIDENT

DR ABDULAZIZ AL-MAHREZI - OMAN

WONCA EAST MEDITERRANEAN PRESIDENT

PROF SHLOMO VINKER - ISRAEL

WONCA EUROPE PRESIDENT

DR DORA BERNAL - COLOMBIA

WONCA IBEROAMERICANA-CIMF PRESIDENT

DR VICTOR NG - CANADA

WONCA NORTH AMERICA PRESIDENT

DR K SRIRANJAN - SRI LANKA

WONCA SOUTH ASIA PRESIDENT

Africa Region Report

Regional Executive Committee

Prof Bob Mash, President - Elect

Dr Dan Abubakar, Immediate Past President

Dr Oluwaseum Olusola, General Secretary

Dr Innocent Besigye, Honorary Treasurer

Dr Mercy Wanjala, AfriWon Representative

Dr Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng, Member at Large

Prof Abraham Gyuse, Member at Large

Activities 2024

Participated in several WHO engagement meetings, in June (Quality Improvement in Emergency, Critical, and Operative care), in June (stakeholder meeting on clinical trial research) and in August the 74th WHO AFRO Regional Committee session

Celebrations of World Family Doctor Day on May 19th, 2024 in each Member Organization with the theme 'Healthy planet, healthy people'.

Organizing the WONCA Africa Regional Conference that took place in June 2024 in NairobiKenya.

AFRO PHC has held monthly online CPD workshops for healthcare providers in primary care settings of the WONCA Africa Region.

An annual two-day physical Primafamed meeting with key stakeholders was held in June 2024 in Nairobi Kenya to strengthen Family Medicine education and research in the region.

Quarterly online meetings were held with the leaders of the various WONCA member organizations and WONCA academic institutions in the region

Executive meetings were held every second Tuesday of the month in 2024

Monthly online Primafamed workshops are conducted to improve Family Medicine education and research capacity in the region.

Family Medicine and Primary Care project of setting up WHO collaborating centers on education and research at Stellenbosch University, Family Medicine at Makerere, and CERRUD, Benin

Published an editorial in the Primary Health Care & Family Medicine journal (the official journal for WONCA Africa) titled 'The road to defining African family medicine core values' following an initiative by WONCA World.

Formation of a new college (College of Family Physicians of East Central and Southern Africa (ECSA CFP), an initiative supported by primafamed to increase training in Family Medicine in the region

Collaborations with Working Parties/Special Interest Groups

The Working Party on Women & Family Medicine at the June WONCA Africa Regional Conference, in preconference activities and conference workshops

The Working Party on Mental Health at the June WONCA Africa Regional Conference, in conference workshops.

In June at the 8th WONCA Africa Regional Conference, the Young Doctor Movement, AFRIWON had preconference activities (a one-day workshop and visits to primary care facilities serving the communities in Nairobi, Kenya).

Research mentorship through the AfriWon Research Collaboration (ARC) was conducted and an evaluation was conducted, details are in a publication in the Primary Health Care & Family Medicine journal titled 'Evaluating the implementation of online research training and mentorship among early-career family physicians in sub-Saharan Africa'

Collaborations with Young Doctors

Plan for 2025

A PHC conference.

Monthly Executive meetings

A Primafamed stakeholders meeting in Zambia

The 75th WHO AFRO Regional Committee session in August.

Writing a short report and grant on advocacy for Family Medicine in the African region. Holding annual Family Medicine meetings and activities before and on World Family Doctor Day (19th May).

Attend a physical meeting in Ethiopia with members of the Family Physicians' Association Formation and institutionalization of a Regional Organizational Equity Committee for Africa. Monthly online workshops with Primafamed and online CPD sessions conducted by AFRO PHC.

Dr Jane France Namatovu WONCA Africa Region President

Asia Pacific Region Report

As the current APR President 2023-2025, I have worked hard to achieve positive change and serve the best interests of family doctors in our region I have focused on implementing policies effectively, enhancing communication among member organizations, supporting the young doctors' movement, and ensuring the healthy financial status of our region. Additionally, I have actively engaged with various stakeholders and organizations. On 3/8/2024, I visited the newly appointed WPRO Regional Director, Dr. Saia Ma'u Piukala, with some of the APR executives in Manila. I introduced the mission and role of WONCA Asia Pacific, representing 21 member countries with nearly 70,000 family/general practitioners, emphasizing the importance of family and community in individual healthcare. I highlighted the core value of family medicine, which is to provide peoplecentered, family-based, and community-oriented care, aligning with the Western Pacific Regional Office's philosophy. Both parties agreed on closer collaboration for the future, aiming to deliver the best healthcare for the people in this region

In May 2024, I met with the head of IFMSA in the AP region, Kenneth, to promote collaboration and uphold the missions of the WONCA young doctors' movement. They will send five delegates from IFMSA to join the Singapore WONCA conference and participate in the activities of TRM on 8/21 On October 16-20, I attended the World Medical Association (WMA) General Assembly in Helsinki. I was pleased to be approached by WMA leaders regarding a potential collaboration. The WMA is interested in partnering with WONCA to enhance primary care services

We all recognize the importance of primary care, and strengthening it is essential for establishing an effective health system. They believe we can collaborate on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and human resources, led by family physicians, to support a robust primary care system.

During October 21-25, The 75th Western Pacific Regional Office Meeting (WPRO) was held in Manila

Our Honorary Secretary, Dr. Aileen Espina, attended on behalf of APR WONCA as the NonState Actor (NSA). During the meeting, we presented WONCA's NCD statements and the APR Singapore Declaration on planetary health, which is aligned with the WPRO vision for 2025-2029: Transformative Primary Health Care towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and climate-resilient health systems

Looking ahead, we are eager to work on establishing new committees and working parties to address crucial issues in our region. These include the WONCA and Family Medicine Book Project, Primary Care Forum, Organizational Equity, Planetary Health, Cancer & Palliative Care These initiatives hold the promise of furthering our mission and making a significant impact in our region.

The Book Project has garnered a lot of interest, with more than 70% of the member organizations (MOs) attending the workshop on 8/21. The Special Interest Group (SIG) of Cancer & Palliative Care in the Asia Pacific Region (APR) hosted a hybrid seminar on 8/20 to showcase the diversity of palliative care in our region and its strong connection with family medicine The total number of onsite and online participants exceeded 300. Additionally, the members of the Working Party (WP) of Planetary Health have drafted the WONCA Asia Pacific Region declaration of planetary health. The document was circulated via email to MOs for review and approval during the Singapore Council meeting It is officially the Singapore Declaration on Planetary Health There will be further discussions on the organization's equity issues, and members are invited to join the committee The academic committee will continue to organize the General Practice (GP) forum, focusing on key issues such as geriatric medicine, mental health, and public health emergencies.

As a WONCA executive, I had to attend monthly meetings. During these meetings, we acknowledged the missions from our world president, heard reports from different regions, and found ways to advance family medicine as a big family I attended 7 virtual meetings and 2 face-to-face meetings in Sri Lanka and London.

As Regional President, I have visited Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, and Shanghai, China, to promote the role of WONCA In July, Taiwan invited experts in AI from JPCA and KAFM to discuss the application of AI in primary care. In August, we successfully held the WONCA APR conference in Singapore, during which the council members approved the Declaration of Planetary Health for the Asia Pacific Region This declaration will serve as a future guideline for developing climate-resilient health systems in our region. I plan to continue my journey to other countries, listen to diverse perspectives, and ensure that every family physician understands the work WONCA has accomplished and will continue to deliver

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my colleagues: Honorary Secretary Dr. Aileen Espina, and Honorary Treasurer Dr Tesshu Kussaba for their tremendous help. It is an honor to work with a dedicated group of individuals as our APR executives. I am grateful for the collective wisdom provided by the council members and family physicians in our region, whom I can always rely on.

Dr Brian Chang WONCA Asia Pacific Region President

East Mediterranean Region Report

Regional Executive Committee

Dr Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi, President

Prof Faisal Alnaser, President-Elect

Prof Taghreed Farahat, Immediate Past Chair

Dr Mona Osman, Treasurer

Dr Suha Hamshari, Member at Large

Dr Muntadher Sad, Member at Large

Dr Ashraf Amir, Member at Large,

Dr Adel Tasky, YDM Lead