Primary healthcare (item 12.5)

The World Medical Association reaffirms that strong primary healthcare, as the entry point and backbone - supported by referral systems and integration with secondary and tertiary care - is essential to equitable, resilient, people-centred health systems and universal health coverage. Yet gaps in financing, workforce capacity, and service integration still limit its impact.

We urge Member States to back commitments with sustained investment, fair working conditions, education, career development, ethical recruitment, and stronger governance and accountability for physicians and other health professionals. Integrated, community-based care must remain a priority.
Physician engagement in policy design and implementation is vital to quality, continuity, and access to care. The WMA stands ready to support efforts to strengthen primary health care for all.