We were thrilled to join more than 700 global health leaders, policymakers, and practitioners at the 2025 International Primary Health Care Conference (ICPHC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to explore how strong, people-centered PHC systems drive resilience, equity, and epidemic readiness.
Throughout the five-day conference—which RTSL co-hosted— our 18-member delegation led and contributed to sessions that showcased innovative, evidence-based strategies for strengthening primary health care. Across two plenary panels, two workshops, three breakout sessions, and four roundtables, RTSL emphasized that PHC can serve as the frontline of both prevention and response, and shared insights from our work in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Rwanda. Our CEO, Dr. Tom Frieden, also delivered a keynote address that set the tone for action.
Key takeaways
- Turning data into action: We explored how countries are using dashboards and key performance indicators to close service gaps and improve care. We were especially eager to spread the word about the Primary Health Care Questions for Surveys initiative—tool to standardize how primary care access and unmet needs are measured across contexts.
- Building resilient infrastructure: Epidemic-ready, climate-resilient PHC systems require more than building physical structures—they need sustainable financing, maintenance, and strong partnerships to support uninterrupted care through both climate and health events.
- Simulating readiness: Simulated patient exercises emerged as a powerful way to test emergency response systems, helping countries identify and address gaps before real crises occur.
- Scaling cardiovascular care: Through the WHO HEARTS technical package, RTSL demonstrated how hypertension control can be integrated into routine PHC services—offering a clear path from pilot projects to national programs.
- Strengthening outbreak response: We presented the 7-1-7 framework as a practical tool for improving the speed and quality of outbreak detection and response at the PHC level.
- Digital innovation in PHC: From real-time dashboards to digital health records, we showcased how technology can support frontline workers and improve patient outcomes when aligned with broader system goals.
The message was clear: resilient, data-driven PHC systems are essential for epidemic preparedness, chronic disease control, and equitable health for all.