The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) calls on WHO and Member States to recognize family doctors and primary care teams as indispensable partners of Universal Health Coverage.
In integrated emergency, critical and operative care (ECO), they support stabilization, urgent care, perioperative management, referral, and follow-up, particularly in rural and underserved communities where they may also provide essential surgical services.
Family doctors identify people who may need transplantation, provide culturally safe counselling on organ donation and advance care planning, support ethical and equitable access, and deliver longitudinal post-transplant care.
Family doctors also recognize early warning signs of rare diseases, coordinate referrals, and ensure continuity of care so no patient is disadvantaged by geography, income, or complexity.
Investing in family medicine, protected workforces, digital tools and clear pathways will strengthen equity, safety, trust and people-centered UHC.