Background: Primary healthcare (PHC) is the cornerstone of health systems for the rightful
access and cost-effective. It is a key factor in the global strategy for universal health coverage
(UHC). Implementing PHC requires an understanding of health system under prevailing
circumstances essential to implement PHC, but data are unavailable.
Objectives: This paper describes and analyses the health systems of Algeria, Kuwait,
Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq and PHC status.
Methods: Data were collected during a Workshop at 2018 WONCA East Mediterranean
Regional Conference in Kuwait. Academic family physicians (FP) and general practitioners
(GP) presented their country reports using the WONCA framework of 11 PowerPoint slides.
WHO EMRO reflected on how countries’ experiences can contribute to their Frameworks on
Integrated People-Centered Health Services and UHC..
Results: The six countries had achieved a great improvement in populations’ health, but
currently face challenges of health financing, small number of certified family physicians,
difficulties to access service and bureaucratic process. Main concerns were the absence of a
family practice model, brain drain and immigration of FPs. Countries differed in building a
coherent policy.
Conclusion: Priorities should be focused on: developing PHC model in Eastern Mediterranean
Region with advocacy for community-based PHC to policymakers: capacity building for
strengthening PHC-oriented health systems with FP specialty training and restrict practicing
to fully trained FPs; engage communities to improve understanding of PHC; adopt quality and
accreditation policies for better services; validation of the referral and follow-up process; and,
develop public-private partnership mechanisms to enhance PHC for UHC.