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Wonca Triennium Regional Highlights The following is a brief highlight of major milestones during the Triennium. These include the establishment of Wonca's new Iberoamericana-CIMF region, Wonca Designated Regional Conferences in Europe, MESAR, and the Asia Pacific, and the establishment of the Association of Family Physicians of East Africa.. East Africa: An Opportunity for Collaborative Subregional Development A regional 'Association of Family Physicians of East Africa' (AFPEA) has been established. The plan is to make it an academic accrediting body - 'The College of Family Physicians of East Africa' - focused on accrediting training programmes, publishing a journal, coordinating research, and establishing a 'Society of Teachers of Family Medicine'. I was very honoured to be invited recently to visit Kenya and to address The First International Family Medicine Symposium held at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi in May, 2004. The Aga Khan Hospital Network has been particularly supportive of Family Medicine. The Kenya Association of Family Physicians was recently established by Dr Humphrey Belcher and colleagues and the KAFP has joined Wonca. Similar national associations are being considered for Uganda and Tanzania. The Symposium was well attended by family doctors, not just from Kenya, but from Uganda, Tanzania and even the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some had made considerable personal sacrifices and arduous journeys to attend the meeting. The symposium brought together INFA-MED (the Institute of Family Medicine), Moi University Medical School in Eldoret (the first Kenyan medical school to establish an M.Med Course in Family Medicine), and representatives of the Royal College of General Practitioners (United Kingdom). The programme included a number of powerful personal accounts of the difficulties of delivering personal and family healthcare in the African setting. The vision of WHO is that all citizens should enjoy a level of health that permits them to lead socially and economically productive lives. Recent developments in East Africa provide some grounds for optimism. There is evidence that leaders of education and health care in Kenya have identified primary health care systems as critically important in meeting the challenges they face. As a result a national system of continuing professional development (CPD) for all doctors is proposed. Those of us representing Wonca - President Elect Bruce Sparks, Africa President Abra Fransch and myself - joined our KAFP and other African colleagues in meeting with senior Health Ministry officials to discuss not just the CPD proposal but the future of family doctor education and training in Kenya. Evidence already assembled by Wonca in the 'Guidebook´ ("Improving Health Systems: The Contribution of Family Medicine") has confirmed that well trained generalist physicians are integral to the delivery of quality care that is cost-effective, relevant and equitable. These personal care services are enhanced when integrated with public health measures such as immunisation, nutrition, and health surveillance. In November 2003, a needs assessment report on family practice and community oriented primary care training programmes in the East Africa was undertaken on behalf of The World Organisation of Family Doctors (Wonca), (The Network: TUFH) and Global Health Through Education, Training and Service (GHETS). The University Medical Schools such as Moi University in Kenya and Makerere University in Uganda have been very supportive. The report challenges Wonca to share our expertise and to coordinate our activities with those of other agencies in the field. Together with them we can assist in the development and adaptation of relevant curricula and educational modules, and disseminate information through electronic means. We can facilitate publications describing innovative work in the region. Within our countries we must try to identify individuals and institutions willing to contribute their resources. Working together with African regional stakeholders it should be possible to reach a strategic consensus that reflects the heritage and resources of the countries while maximising the contributions of all involved. Six years ago in Killarney, the Wonca World Council identified the development of family medicine in countries and regions where it was weak or non-existent, as our number one priority. The nations of Africa represent the greatest challenge to the achievement of that aspiration. These East Africa initiatives are an important start. Michael
Boland Wonca Europe 2003 Exceeds Expectations The number of participants showing in the computer data had to be double checked, because it sounded rather unbelievable. Yet it was true. A total of 1,652 delegates from 62 countries around the world had come to Lujbjana, Slovenia for the 2003 Wonca Europe Regional Conference from June 18-21, 2003. The opening ceremony took place late afternoon in the Gallus hall of the Lujbljana congress center, which comfortably seated the eager participants. On behalf of the President of the Republic Slovenia, National Assembly President Borut Pahor officially opened the congress. He expressed hope that the conference would enable the delegates to exchange views and experiences and further the growth and development of family medicine and primary care around the world. Professor Igor Svab, the Scientific Programme Chair, Dr. Phillip Evans, President of Wonca Europe and Dr. Michael Boland, President of World Wonca, welcomed the participants. Various Slovenian choirs performed, emphasizing the point that we in Slovenia are a singing nation. The final song, a symbolic blessing for peace by the Shira Choir from Israel, reminded us of those who are less fortunate and deeply moved everyone. The next few days of plenary speakers, workshops, and free-standing papers ran smoothly. Parallel sessions addressed the main conference topics, including lifestyle problems in general practice, acute care in general practice, effective patient communication, new technologies, quality in primary care, and humor in general practice. Several of Wonca's priority health issues outlined by Dr. Boland, such as HIV-AIDS and smoking cessation and prevention, were also addressed during the course of the congress. The uplifting melody of Beethoven's Ode to Joy, performed on one of the biggest pipe organs in Europe, punctuated the closing ceremony in the great hall of the congress center. Doctor Janko Kersnik, Chair of the Host Organizing Committee, shared his hope that Slovenia, a small country with large ambitions, was now a known part of the world. In his letter to the organizing committee, Dr Chis van Weel, past Wonca Europe Region President, observed that the success of this undertaking was not determined by the size of the host organizing college, but by their intellectual richness, their creativity and their dedication. Assistant
Nena Kopcavar Gucek, MD Wonca 2003 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference Held in Beijing The 13th Wonca Asia Pacific Regional Conference opened as planned on 4th November 2003 and ran on to 7th November 2003. It was hosted by the Chinese Society of General Practice (GSGP) under the umbrella of the Chinese Medical Association. The Conference also marked the 10th Anniversary of the founding of the Society. The conference also marked the 10th Anniversary of the founding of the Society. The conference was a tremendous success, as more than 400 delegates and guests attended, including 134 from overseas. The Host Organizing Committee (HOC) under the Chairmanship of Prof Wu Zhenglai deserves our accolades in getting the conference off the ground amidst the uncertainty that SARS might revisit Beijing and Asia again in November. Happily it did not. At the Conference Opening Ceremony and dinner, participants from China, the Asia-Pacific region and from around the world were warmly welcomed by Professor WU Zhenglai, HOC Chair, Professor DAI Yuhua, Scientific Program Chair of the Chinese Society of General Practitioners (CSGP), Dr Ziaoziren, Vice President of Chinese Medical Association, Wonca President Dr Michael Boland and Asia-Pacific Regional Chair, Professor GOH Lee Gan. The theme of the Conference was "Quality General Practice in the New Century". A highlight of the conference was to witness the tremendous progress of family medicine in China. Professor
GOH Lee Gan
On the evening of the 7th, The Inaugural ceremony took place. Wonca President Dr. Michael Boland and Professor Shatendra K Gupta, President of Wonca MESAR, led the ceremonial procession to the dais, which included the past Presidents of the College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka, Host Organizing Committee (HOC) President, Prof.W.A. Ferdinand, Secretary Dr. B.G.D.Bujawansa, Scientific Committee Chair Professor Leela A Karunaratne, Wonca CEO, Dr. Alfred Loh. The Chief Guest was the Honorable D. Dayaratna, The Minister of Health of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The Guest of Honour was Dr. A. Arhulrhaj, President of the Indian Medical Association. The welcome address was given by the HOC President, Prof. Ferdinand, followed by speeches from Prof. Shatendra Gupta and Dr. Arulraj. The Hon. Minister Mr. P. Dayaratne then highlighted the current global health problems and pointed out the possible contribution of the family doctor. Then, Dr. Michael Boland gave the keynote address on the topic "Challenges and Opportunities in Family Medicine in Wonca-MESAR". Finally an expression of thanks was given by Dr. Bujawansa. The inaugural ceremony ended with a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dances. Participants received a college oration by Prof. Dennis J Aloysius on the topic "Research in Family Medicine in Sri Lanka - Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs". The conference ended on 09 Nov. 2002 with a symposium on the theme of "Human Rights, Heritage and Values in Family Practice". A post conference workshop on 10 Nov. 2002 devoted to the topic "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Family Practice" was conducted by Dr Athula Sumathipala, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sri Jaywardanapura General Hospital, Sri Lanka. Shatendra
K Gupta Dr
BGD Bujawansa Wonca Establishes New Iberoamerica-CIMF Region During the last Wonca Executive Meeting which took place in London in June 2002, the membership of 11 Latin American countries was approved, as well as the creation of the new Wonca Region called Wonca Region Iberoamericana- CIMF. This important and historic development was the result of nearly 6 years of negotiation between Wonca and the Iberoamerican Confederation of Family Medicine (CIMF). CIMF has been the international institution responsible for the impulse of family medicine among the Latin American countries. It was founded more than 2 decades ago. At first it was a consultant organization called the International Centre for Family Medicine. Six years ago, it became a confederation of national societies. It is nowadays integrated by 15 Latinamerican National Societies of Family Medicine -Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela- and of two European ones -Spain and Portugal. CIMF has played quite an important role in the creation of family medicine postgraduate training programs and has also actively worked for the inclusion of family medicine within the health systems of the region's countries. Scientific collaboration between Wonca and CIMF was present from the very beginning, even when the latter was still the International Centre for Family Medicine. Both organizations equally benefited from this scientific and technical dialogue which was undoubtedly respectful. Having followed the recommendations of the historic 1995 WHO-Wonca document "Making Medical Practice and Education More Relevant to People's Needs: the Contribution of the Family Doctor", CIMF organized a meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentine, in 1996. During this meeting, the "Buenos Aires declaration" was released. This important document, which integrates the proposals of the Ontario document, sums up a series of political, financial, technical and academic recommendations which are meant for the Latin American governments. The development of family medicine in the region was boosted by this declaration and the political, scientific and technical ties between CIMF and Wonca were strengthened. It was only after this Buenos Aires meeting that both organizations began to initiate negotiations which would allow CIMF to join Wonca. In order for this to happen, several negotiation meetings took place during a number of events: the Cuban Family Medicine Congress (Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. 1997), Regional CIMF Congress (Tijuana, México. 1998), World Conference on Family Medicine (Dublin, Ireland,1998), Primary Health Attention International Seminary (La Habana, Cuba. 1999), Family Medicine Iberoamerican Congress (México City, Mexico. 1999), Wonca World Council Meeting (Alpine Heath, South Africa. 2001), and the First Iberoamerican Summit on Family Medicine (Seville, Spain. 2002). The Wonca and CIMF representatives are to be acknowledged, for they played an important role in the negotiation process: Dr. Robert Higgins, Dr. Reg Perkin, Dr. Warren Heffron, Dr. Michael Boland, Dr. Javier Domínguez, Dr. Rubén Roa and Dr. Juan Mendive. For the Latin American family medicine societies, Wonca membership represents a step forward in their development. Being the world´s most important family medicine scientific, educational and political organization, Wonca provides them with both recognition and prestige. They will be offered important technical assistance which will aid them in the human resources, professional practice and investigation fields. New communication tools and information resources will be within their reach. Conversely, for the first time in history, Wonca will be able to officially incorporate national societies of Latin American countries into their organization. The possibilities of technical and scientific exchange have increased as Wonca brings together all regions around the world. Dr.
Javier Dominguez The Americas Region It has been my pleasure to serve Wonca as President for the Americas region during this triennium. Perhaps the most exciting part of my job actually resulted in a downsizing of my region with the establishment of Region Iberoamericana-CIMF but greatly enhanced Wonca in terms of finally becoming a truly worldwide organization. Significant parts of the first half of the Triennium were spent actively working with the Confederacion Internacional de Medicina Familiar (International Confederation of Family Medicine) to create Wonca's sixth region encompassing the Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries in Central and South America. I worked with the by laws committee to propose by laws changes which will let the Caribbean College of Family Physicians enter as one organization but which will represent 24 smaller organizations of the English speaking Caribbean area as soon as the by laws are finally amended. Finally, I was able to visit annual meetings for all of our Canadian and American member organizations in the region, AAFP, STFM, CFPC, and CCFP. Family medicine is alive and well on all fronts Warren
A. Heffron M.D.
More than 2000 family doctors from 31 countries across Europe and around the world converged on London, England from June 10-13, 2002 for the Wonca Europe Conference. The Queen Elizabeth II Centre, alongside the stately Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abby in London, England, offered a regal setting for conference delegates, exhibitors and guests. The conference theme, "Promoting Excellence in Family Medicine", allowed delegates to identify local, regional and national developments in health, health and the latest issues and advances in family medicine. Over 750 presentations were submitted by more than 50 countries. Patient choice was an important theme throughout the conference. Workshops focused on patient use of alternative therapies, effective smoking cessation and obesity treatment, and the detection and treatment of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and HIV/AIDs. Expanding the research base of general practice and family medicine was the focus of a plenary, numerous workshops, abstracts and discussion breaks. Researches involved in the Primary Care International Study of Medical Errors from Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States shared the initial results of their landmark collaborative study. This conference marked the release of the historic publication from Wonca and the World Health Organization, Improving Health Systems: The Contribution of Family Medicine. This conference also marked the release of Wonca Europe's new Definition of General Practice/Family Medicine. Delegates poured over the many new technological developments, such as electronic patient records, PDAs, interactive patient websites and computers systems that will serve as the information foundation of the redesigned family doctor's office of the 21st century. Different
models of health care systems throughout Europe, and the contribution
of the family doctor, were discussed and compared. Delegates listened
with interest as presenters described new systems developing in Kazakstan
and Uzbekistan and the emerging role of family doctors through Central
Asia. At this year's meeting, delegates from Bosnia and Herzegovina attended
the conference and presented papers and posters. Importantly, Wonca officially
recognized The festive atmosphere was stimulated by two major British celebrations taking place around the time of the London conference. In addition to ceremonies marking the 50th Anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II, this also marked the 50th anniversary of The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). Since its founding in 1952, the RCGP has worked to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general practice and acted as the 'voice' of GPs on issues concerning education, training, research and standards. Milestones in the RCGP's history include developing training in general practice, ensuring departments of general practice exist in all universities, expanding general medical practice research and promoting primary health care in the UK and around the world. Many family medicine associations, departments, residency programs, research institutes and office practices across the globe owe their existence to the assistance of the RCGP. What a fine way for the RCGP to mark its Golden Anniversary than to host such the Wonca Europe conference in jolly London and for the conference delegates to honor them with their enthusiastic participation! Dr
Phillip Evans |