01. The Healthcare Production Model
AFYA Fest 2025 surfaced a practical frame: healthcare as production. The output is not a number of appointments.
The output is sustained wellbeing per unit of spend. Primary care demonstrates this clearly.
Studies show savings per additional visit, larger savings from first visits and steep savings for high-risk patients. The value is created through earlier contact, better follow-up and fewer late-stage interventions.
Source: PMC Study
02. The Largest Return Sits in Women’s Health
Women’s health offers one of the clearest GDP multipliers available. For every $1 invested, $3 returns to GDP.
The pathway is direct: fewer days lost to unmanaged conditions, steadier participation in work, reduced caregiving burden and healthier children with better long-term outcomes.
This is compounding value embedded in daily life.
Source: McKinsey
03. Frontline Access Determines System Output
Frontline facilities are where most care begins. In Senegal, 80.5% of households rely on health posts as their closest facility, with an average distance of 4.3 km.
That access point sets the ceiling for what a system can produce. When frontline workers have tools, training and referral pathways, communities receive earlier diagnosis, better continuity and fewer emergency escalations.
Source: WHO
04. The Productivity Loop
Investing in frontline capability creates a loop: earlier care reduces downstream cost, reduced cost frees capacity, capacity improves access and improved access keeps people productive.
This is how health becomes shared growth. It starts with the frontline and accelerates through coordination.
