“Primary Health Care as the Foundation of a Sustainable Healthcare System: From Policy to Practice”

On May 19, 2026, the 5th Congress of Family Physicians of Kyrgyzstan was held at Kyrgyz State Medical Academy under the theme: “Primary Health Care as the Foundation of a Sustainable Healthcare System: From Policy to Practice.” Professor Gulzhan Nurbekovna Dosybayeva, Head of the Department of General Practice-2 at South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, participated in the congress and delivered a plenary report titled “Digitalization of Primary Health Care in the Context of Population Aging: New Challenges and Solutions.” She also moderated the education section. During the conference, participants became acquainted with the university, met with the Rector of the academy, Indira Orozobayevna Kudaibergenova, and discussed issues of cooperation with Professor Nurlan Nurgaziyevich Brimkulov from the Department of Family Medicine. The large-scale professional forum brought together family physicians, educators, experts, and healthcare representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Switzerland, and the United States. The event was held in a hybrid format, combining both in-person and online participation. The congress was dedicated to World Family Doctor Day, celebrated annually on May 19. This year, WONCA marks the occasion under the slogan “Caring in a Digital World.” Therefore, one of the central topics of the forum was the digitalization of healthcare and the implementation of artificial intelligence in medical practice. Participants emphasized that the development of digital medicine should be based on the principles of safety, reliability, and patient-centered care. During the plenary and sectional sessions, participants discussed modern approaches to patient management, development of medical education, public health, кадровую policy, and organizational development of family medicine services. Special attention was given to disease prevention and strengthening the role of family physicians as a key component of the healthcare system.