The journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is one that demands not just vision but practical action. At the heart of this mission rests Primary Health Care (PHC)—an approach that ensures people everywhere receive accessible, continuous, integrated, quality and equitable healthcare across the life course. The integrated PHC approach is more than a policy—it is a powerful strategy that brings healthcare systems closer to where communities live, work, study and grow.
Recognizing the transformative potential of integrated PHC, the World Health Organization (WHO), through the South-East Asia Regional Forum for PHC-oriented Health Systems (SEAR PHC Forum), has focused on collectively gathering, examining and driving innovations to address operational bottlenecks in PHC. In a bid to explore these advancements and share best practices, WHO SEARO organized the “Innovations for Quality Integrated Primary Health Care” Regional Workshop, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from August 27-29, 2024.
This highly anticipated event was not just a gathering of experts, but a practical forum showcasing real-world applications. Delegates from various countries presented e-poster sessions highlighting the implementation and piloting of PHC initiatives across the region. The slogan, “Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom,” captured the spirit of the workshop—an invitation to embrace diverse perspectives and learn from both successes and setbacks in PHC integration.
Indonesia was an ideal host for this landmark workshop, given its leadership role in implementing the Integrated Primary Health Care Services (ILP) programme. ILP aims to bring together fragmented health services at the primary care level, ensuring a comprehensive, life-cycle approach to healthcare delivery. By August 2024, 2275 puskesmas (community health centers), representing 55.9% of the target, had already adopted ILP, with the goal of reaching 4072 puskesmas by the end of the year. Indonesia’s commitment to reducing health disparities and enhancing service delivery is evident in these efforts.
The success of ILP is bolstered by the Indonesia Primary Health Care Consortium, a collaborative network of over 30 partners, including governmental bodies, international organizations, and academic institutions. Similar to the SEAR PHC Forum, this consortium has been instrumental in fostering coordination, sharing knowledge, and developing policy recommendations to strengthen PHC in Indonesia.
The workshop was formally opened by Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, and the Regional Director of WHO SEARO, Ms. Saima Wazed. With over 150 participants from countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste, as well as key donors such as USAID, ADB, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Bank, the event underscored the global importance of collaborative efforts in improving PHC.
The ILP Consortium took centre stage, contributing to e-poster presentations that explored vital topics related to PHC integration. Notable presentations included Thinkwell’s “Tracking the Shifting of Primary Health Care’s Fund Flow in Four Selected Districts,” Summit Institute for Development’s “Data for Action: Establishing a Digitally Enabled District on FHIR to Improve Healthcare Outcomes,” and Tanoto Foundation’s “Strengthening Primary Health Care Integration to Invest in a Better Future.” These presentations offered practical insights into the various strategies being employed to advance PHC.
The Regional PHC Forum not only marked a pivotal moment for Indonesia but also for the ILP Consortium, providing a platform to share the nation’s innovative approaches on both regional and global stages. Indonesia’s advancements in PHC integration are paving the way for other countries to follow, showcasing the tangible results of collaboration and persistence in driving health system transformation. Similarly, Indonesia had the opportunity to learn from other countries in the South-East Asia Region on how they are managing many of the same challenges, including fragmentation of financing for PHC.
As the workshop concluded, it became clear that this gathering was more than just a forum; it was a vital step toward achieving UHC through integrated, quality primary care services. By learning from each other and fostering partnerships, countries across the region are together accelerating their progress toward a healthier future for all.
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Contributor: WHO Indonesia
Learn more on
- Positive practices in developing primary health care-oriented health systems: https://www.who.int/southeastasia/publications/i/item/9789290229483
- South-East Asia regional strategy for primary health care: 2022-2030: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789290229094