Rural practice is a particular field which requires representation in national and international policy making bodies if the continuing serious disadvantage in rural health and rural health services are to be overcome. It is essential that the voice of rural health be included directly in policy, including policy developed by WONCA.
Strategies
5.5.1 The WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice should be
given the mandate to facilitate the formation of a WONCA International Network
on Rural practice, including inputs from rural doctors groups and WONCA member
bodies, to ensure representation of rural views to WONCA Council, and through
council to other organisations around the world. Any such future network should
be encouraged to work with WONCA.
5.5.2 The recommendations of the WONCA Policy on Training
for Rural Practice and the WONCA/WHO document “Making Medical Practice
and Education More Relevant to People’s Needs: The Contribution of the
Family Doctor” should be implemented by WONCA and its member organisations.
5.5.3 WONCA should develop a policy to ensure equitable representation
of women doctors on all decision-making bodies.
5.5.4 A WONCA Rural Advisory Unit be established to
visit individual countries to assist them in enhancing their rural health services.