TEHRAN –Representatives and health authorities of participant countries in the first International Congress on Family Health issued the final statement in 12 key areas.

The event which was held in Tehran on March 5-6 aimed to publicize the important role of family health in society.

The participants from 17 countries expressed commitment to expand their efforts by reimagining family and health discourse in the following areas.

Health for all, a shared responsibility: It highlights the right to health for everyone and as a public responsibility it should lay the ground for growth, transformation, and happiness.

Eliminating deprivation, an essential for justice in healthcare: the most disadvantaged groups should be addressed, discrimination should be eliminated, and the policies of the governments should not be a priority regarding family health.

Family-oriented health: strengthening families by implementing the redesigned service packages. Family-oriented approach should be a top priority.

Spiritual health, a religious view: spiritual health programs are designed based on monotheistic and religious views.

Family health program and referral system, a family-oriented approach to foster goals of primary health care (PHC): the focus is on improving the health of society, realizing fairer access to health, reducing expenses, and increasing the efficiency of the healthcare system.

Shifting from a person-oriented to a family-oriented approach: the new definitions of family-oriented approach will be adopted, for example, the term ‘mother’ will be used instead of ‘pregnant women’, and a healthy, coherent family program will be designed to follow up on families’ mental health.

Family Health Program, a model for addressing global population concerns: the program involves providing healthcare services to the elderly, scientific evidence-based prenatal screening, restricting illegal abortion, promoting natural child delivery, and managing infertility by timely diagnosis.

Integration of education and health system accelerates family health program: integrating supplementary education and research, and redesigning training courses based on culture, religion, and environment, guarantees the improvement of family health in all aspects.

Family-oriented health programs directly strengthen the primary health care network: the family health program improves the PHC system and improves the implementation of the family health program.

The family health program underscores the popularization of the health system: to popularize health, the health literacy of the families and self-care training, particularly focusing on mothers as health ambassadors of the families, have to be promoted.

The family health program incorporates successful experiences to manage social determinants of health: ignoring social factors such as education, income, employment, and social status will make health justice impossible.

An initiative titled “The international movement of commitment to the natural family” is highlighted as a global agenda.

The goals of the family health program can be realized by safeguarding the security of data on the electronic health platform. The role of electronic tools and artificial intelligence in improving health services is undeniable, but the confidentiality of health information has to be guaranteed.

PHC for UHC 

Paying special attention to family health for turning primary health care into universal health care (PHC for UHC through family health) was the theme of the two-day event.

Health ministers from Qatar, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Oman, Brazil, Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, Cuba, Tajikistan, India, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Libya, Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan have been invited to take part in the conference.

The event aims to promote the Family Health Program, an initiative launched in 2005 to provide easy and round-the-clock access to basic services and primary care for all in the country.

The conference will highlight Family Health Program and Integration of Education and Health Systems, Family Health Program and strengthening Primary Health Care, Family Health Program and Social Determinants of Health, Family Health Program and Community Engagement, and Family Health Program and Electronic Health.

Health Minister Bahram Einollahi has said the program enhances the PHC system through the delivery of integrated care. The relationship between PHC and the Family Health Program is mutually supportive. 

PHC establishes the overarching framework for delivering essential healthcare services, with this program serving as an integral component of PHC. 

It operates based on the same principles, including intersectoral coordination, comprehensiveness in offering promotional, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services, fostering community participation and self-reliance, utilizing appropriate methods and technology, and upholding principles of fairness and equity. 

Its specific focus lies in addressing the comprehensive health needs of families and ensuring all community member’s access to essential healthcare services. 

Family Health Program and the Electronic Referral System prioritize the involvement of individuals, aiming to enhance community health literacy and empower individuals in overseeing the healthcare system. 

People are encouraged to actively engage in assessing community needs, promoting health education, supporting local health priorities, and assisting in healthcare provision. 

By fostering active partnerships, creating effective support networks, and prompting sustainable interventions, individuals play a vital role in maintaining and promoting community health.

The alignment between the Family Health Program and the social determinants of health hinges on knowledge, comprehension, and action. 

This progeria underscores and tackles the influence of social determinants on family health through collaborative endeavors, supportive policies, and a holistic approach aimed at fostering equity, health interventions, and community resources to bolster health and well-being.

Certainly, ongoing monitoring and regular evaluation are indispensable elements of the Family Health Program. 

Employing a systematic approach to assess performance, measure implementation and impact, enhance quality, and ensure accountability in delivering compressive healthcare services to families is crucial for the success of the Family Health Program and the referral system.

According to Einollahi, holding international health conferences provides the chance for more interactions with other countries and lays the ground for expanding health cooperation on pharmaceutical products and equipment. 

Also, an exhibition of Iran's latest achievements in the fields of medicines, medical equipment, and health tourism will be set up on the sidelines of the conference.

MT/MG