THE ROLE OF FAMILY MEDICINE IN STRENGTHENING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52326/jss.utm.2026.9(2).09Keywords:
public health, primary healthcare, family medicine, sustainability, health policiesAbstract
Access to primary healthcare services is a key indicator of health system performance, reflecting both their efficiency and equity. The study analyzes the evolution of access to family medicine in the Republic of Moldova during the period 2019–2024, under the influence of the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and compares recent data (2023) with the situation in Romania, Poland, and Ukraine. The methodology included an analysis of national and international statistical sources [1], as well as graphical representations of trends. The results show that in the Republic of Moldova, overall access declined significantly between 2020 and 2021, reaching a level of approximately 75–80%, but gradually recovered in the following years, reaching 83% in 2023. However, disparities persist between urban (88%) and rural (77%) areas, more pronounced than in Romania or Poland, where the differences are under 5%. By comparison, Ukraine has a lower overall level of access (78%), exacerbated by the context of multiple crises. The conclusions highlight the need to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure, expand telemedicine, and implement support programs for rural areas as solutions to reduce inequalities and align with European standards.
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