From the Wonca President :
Political Impact and Academic Clout
From the CEO’s Desk :
Wonca Membership of Academic
2
3
Departments of Family Medicine
From the Editor:
Make Your Plans to Attend Wonca's
4
Conferences
FEATURE STORIES
5
• Wonca Working Party on Education Holds Inaugural Meeting
• Wonca Iberoamericana-CIMF Hosts 3rd Family Medicine Summit
• Website Launched for 19th Wonca World Conference 2010 in Cancun
Wonca REGIONAL NEWS
7
• Wonca Holds Family Medicine Research Conference in Columbia
• Wonca Europe Region Update
• Wonca Europe Regional in Istanbul September 4-7
• Asia Pacific Reginal in Melbourne October 1-5
HEALTH AND HEALTH SYSTEM NEWS
11
• Wonca Attends WHO's 61st World Health Assembly in Geneva
MEMBER AND ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS
13
• Research Working Group Adopts Ambitious Mission
• Ten Years of Family Medicine in the Ukraine
• Japanese Delegate Attends 8th Wonca World Rural Health Conference in
Nigeria
RESOURCES FOR THE FAMILY DOCTOR
16
• African Primafed Project and its First Newsletter
WONCA CONFERENCES 2008-2013 AT A GLANCE
17
GLOBAL MEETINGS FOR THE FAMILY DOCTOR
18
VOLUME 34
NUMBER 3
JUNE 2008
CONTENTS
World Organization of Family Doctors
www.GlobalFamilyDoctor.com
Wonca President
Professor Chris van Weel
Department of Family Medicine,
117 HAG
University Medical Centre Nijmegen
PO Box 9101
6500 HB Nijmegen
The Netherlands
Tel 31 24 361 6332
Fax 31 24 354 1862
Email C.vanWeel@hag.umcn.nl
Wonca Chief Executive Officer
Dr Alfred W T Loh
Wonca World Secretariat
College of Medicine Building
16 College Road #01-02
Singapore 169854
Tel 65 6224 2886
Fax 65 6324 2029
Email admin@wonca.com.sg
Wonca President Elect
Richard G Roberts, MD, JD, USA
Immediate Past President
Professor Bruce L W Sparks, South Africa
Honorary Treasurer
Professor Michael Kidd, Australia
Executive Members at Large
Dr Javier Dominguez del Olmo, Mexico
Dr Iona Heath, United Kingdom
Professor Michael Kidd, Australia
Regional Presidents
Wonca Africa
Professor Khaya Mfenyana, South Africa
Wonca Asia Pacific
Dr Donald K T Li, Hong Kong
Wonca Europe
Professor Igor Svab, Slovenia
Wonca Iberoamericana - CIMF
Professor Adolfo Rubinstein, Argentina
Wonca Middle East South Asia
Dr Preethi Wijegoonewardene, Sri Lanka
Wonca North America
Dr Alain Montegut, USA
Chair, Bylaws & Regulations Committee
Dan Ostergaard MD, USA
Chair, Wonca Publications and
Communications Committee
Dr Geoffrey D Martin, Australia
Editor, Wonca News & Editorial Office
Marc L Rivo, MD, MPH
4566 Prairie Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
Tel 1 305-671-7327
Fax 1 305-674-8839
Email marcrivo@aol.com
WONCA GLOBAL SPONSORS
FROM THE WONCA PRESIDENT :
POLITICAL IMPACT AND ACADEMIC
CLOUT
A special feature in the Wonca agenda and reported
in this issue of Wonca News is the Ibero-Americana CIMF
primary care summit – a tri-annual meeting of all the
regional Colleges and Departments of Health. Earlier this
year, I had the pleasure to attend its third version.
From Brazil and the Ibero-Americana primary care summit
……
The summit was held in Fortaleza, Brazil, in April, with the
stormy family medicine development in the host country as
exciting background. Elsewhere in this issue more in-depth
reporting can be found of how Governments and Colleges
are planning to work further for the health of the people
in the region, and how they seek to capitalize on what
has been achieved. Brazil poses an example here that is
as exciting as it is challenging. Since the beginning of this
Millennium, it has managed to provide primary care based
coverage to 50% of its vast population. This fact, with
family physicians and other primary care professionals in
the driving seat, can in itself be seen as an achievement.
Particularly important, though, is that in this limited
period of time, relevant indicators of population health
– maternity and neonatal deaths; vaccination rates – are
changing for the better.
These are the rewards of the investment in the primary
care capital – a family doctor in every community, or in
the words of one of the motions adopted at the Wonca
world Conference in Singapore ‘every family a family
physician’; investing through teaching, training and health
care innovation. The Brazilian – and more in general
Ibero-Americana experiences illustrate the political impact
of primary care. This important success emphasizes, at
the same time, the importance to build further. There
are still large areas to cover, all with their specific health
problems. This requires more study, more teaching and
training, more primary care advocacy.
And that brings me to the second part of the title
of this Column: a pillar of successes as now witnessed
in Brazil, is the contribution of ‘academia’: through
research, education of medical students and training of
residents in primary care. Universities play a key role
in this – ‘every medical student should be exposed to
primary care, as early in their study and for as long as
WONCA
News
FROM THE WONCA PRESIDENT
2
possible’ was another Singapore motion – hence the need
of departments of family medicine/primary care in every
medical school. This stresses the need to foster links
to university departments. To do so, Wonca is proud
to announce a new ‘membership category’ of University
Departments of Family Medicine/Primary Care.
……… To the inauguration of a Wonca membership of
University Departments
Our new membership category of University
Departments of Family Medicine / General Practice /
Primary Care seeks to strengthen Wonca’s ties with the
academic field. It aims to attract more primary care
researchers, educators, teachers and trainers to Wonca
meetings. Another objective is to improve academic
leadership of family medicine/primary care around the
world. For example, assessment of research, teaching and
training is becoming an ever more important mechanism
of academic development. It is essential that primary care
does well in these departments, in as many universities
worldwide. The existing experience should be made
available and shared, and this is the reason Wonca has
developed a new membership category – membership
of university departments of family medicine/general
practice/primary care. Details of the membership
are presented in our Wonca CEO’s Column. The new
membership will be highlighted at the forthcoming
regional conferences, beginning in Melbourne at the
Asia Pacific regional conference this coming October,
with the inaugural meeting of heads of departments of
family medicine/primary care. Wonca is looking forward
to a large response to this new membership category
from all regions of the world. At this place I like to
acknowledge the initiators, Professor Dada Leopando and
Professor Bruce Sparks. It is magnificent that their vision
has materialized now, which promises to strengthen the
potential of Wonca. The Brazilian example should help
to see the potential for the health of people, and also
the exciting task that waits for us!
Professor Chris van Weel
President of Wonca
WONCA
News
FROM THE CEO’S DESk
3
FROM THE CEO’S DESk:
WONCA MEMBERSHIP OF
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS
OF FAMILY MEDICINE
The many Departments of Family
Medicine / General Practice / Primary
Care in the various member countries
of Wonca are an untapped potential
source of expertise and human
resource to assist Wonca in its global
objectives and mission.
Realising this, the Wonca Executive
at its meeting in Ithala, South
Africa in May 2001 discussed at
length the possibility of introducing
a special category of Academic
Department Membership (ADM) to
accommodate departments that can
identify with the aims, objectives,
and mission of Wonca and that
are prepared to support Wonca’s
activities locally, regionally and
internationally. Particularly in the
developing countries like those of
Eastern Europe and South America,
emerging departments in our
discipline are likely to become the
champions of the discipline in their
fast evolving health care scene.
Wonca working in close collaboration
with these establishments will mean
for these emerging departments
greater recognition and empowerment
within their parent universities. There
are therefore obvious advantages for
both parties in coming together.
Academic Departments will benefit
from such membership of Wonca in
the following ways:
1. Networking with other Academic
Department Members (ADM) – this
will be especially useful for new
emerging departments in develop-
ing countries who may “twin” with
other ADMs from more developed
countries as part of this Wonca
initiative.
2. ADMs may in time be able to use
Wonca membership databases for
research purpose with the neces-
sary safeguards in place.
3. ADMs initiated research may in
time be accredited by Wonca and
enjoy greater exposure and public-
ity. They may also be participants
of larger Wonca initiated or coor-
dinated research.
4. ADMs may gain access to wider
research funding support through
our Wonca network and may also
enjoy facilitation of cooperative
ventures between the ADM and
the local Wonca member organiza-
tions.
5. ADMs may use the Wonca inter-
national network to market their
activities and educational pro-
grammes.
6. ADMs may enjoy discounts at
Wonca international and regional
conferences and workshops and
for special Wonca publications
and promotional items.
7. Wonca will provide ADMs an inter-
national forum of high academic
standing to present their research
and activities and in time an In-
ternational Network of Teachers of
Family Medicine/General Practice
may be formed.
8. Wonca will provide ADMs an in-
ternational and regional forum for
faculty development and faculty
exchange as they network with
the various other ADMs within
Wonca.
Wonca will in turn benefit from
the establishment of this category
of Academic Department Membership
through:
1. A larger representative base of
family doctors with the potential
power to lobby on Wonca’s be-
half.
2. A repository of consultative ex-
perts to support, develop and
expand Wonca global aims, objec-
tives, mission and activities.
3. A larger base of membership sub-
scription as these ADMs will pay
annual dues to Wonca.
4. Increased involvement of academic
departments in Wonca which will
result in:
a. Development of educational
programmes on Wonca’s
behalf;
b. Facilitation of constructive
partnerships between academic
departments and Wonca
member organizations at the
local level;
c. Increased academic credibility
of its publication, research and
academic meetings;
d. Assistance in the development
of academic programmes
in developing countries as
part of Wonca’s mission and
objectives.
Following up on the proposal
at Ithala, South Africa, the Wonca
Executive held further discussions on
the Academic Department Membership
at the subsequent Full Executive
Meeting in London in June 2002.
At this meeting Prof Bruce Sparks
and Dr Geoff Martin presented
the final draft of the proposal.
Wonca Executive accepted their
proposal. The Bylaws and Regulations
Committee was then requested to
make the necessary amendments to
the Wonca Bylaws and Regulations
in time for the Wonca World Council
in Orlando, Florida, USA. The Bylaws
Committee completed their work in
September 2003 and the changes
to the relevant parts of the Wonca
Bylaws and Regulations were then
presented to and accepted by the
Wonca World Council in Orlando, in
October 2004. At the following Wonca
World Council in Singapore in July
2007, the changes to the Bylaws and
Regulations were ratified by Council
and became effective immediately
after the Council Meeting.
The relevant articles and sections
of the Wonca Bylaws and Regulations
relating to the newly created Wonca
Academic Department Membership
read as follows:
4
FROM THE EDITOR:
MAkE YOUR PLANS
TO ATTEND WONCA’S
CONFERENCES
Now is the perfect time to make
plans to attend Wonca’s upcoming
regional conferences beginning
this fall and to explore the newly
launched website for the 19
th
World
Wonca Conference in Cancun set for
May 19-23, 2010. My first Wonca
World Conference in Vancouver in
1992 taught me the enormous value
of our Wonca conferences to help
us improve health systems, primary
health care, family medicine and
people’s health. In this issue, Dr
Bando’s letter to the editor described
how the 8
th
Wonca World Rural
Health Conference in Calabar, Nigeria
exposed him to best practices in
teaching, research and health care
delivery.
Five exciting Wonca Regional
Conferences are scheduled in the
coming year. First, Wonca Europe
gathers meets in Istanbul, Turkey
in September, followed by the
Asia-Pacific Region in Melbourne,
Australia in October, the North
American Region in November, the
Africa Region in Johannesburg,
South Africa in March, and finally
Iberoamericana-CIMF in San Juan,
Puerto Rico in April. In addition,
Wonca launched its website for the
19
th
World Conference to be held
May 19-23, 2010 in Cancun, Mexico.
Details of each Regional Conference,
as well as the announcement of the
new 19
th
Wonca World Conference
website can be found in this issue
of Wonca News.
Wonca and its Working Groups,
Regions and Member Organizations
also conduct important meetings
and projects with Ministers of Health,
Medical Schools, policymakers,
WONCA BYLAWS (JULY 2007)
ARTICLE 5: MEMBERSHIP
1 Eligibility and Classification: The
membership of The Organization
shall consist of Academic Members
Academic Departments/Training
Programs of general practice/fam-
ily medicine which are actively
involved in teaching and research,
support the Mission of The Orga-
nization and desire affiliation with
The Organization.
ARTICLE 8: DUES
(SUBSCRIPTIONS) AND FUND
RAISING
3 Annual Dues of Academic Mem-
bers: Each Academic Member
shall be required to pay annual
dues which shall be recommended
by the Executive Committee, pre-
scribed by Council at each of its
regular meetings, and collected in
accordance with the Regulations.
WONCA REGULATIONS (JULY
2007)
CLAUSE 7: DUES
(SUBSCRIPTIONS)
4 Annual Dues of Academic Mem-
bers:
.1 Annual dues for Academic
Members shall be prescribed by
Council, on the recommendation
of the Executive Committee,
for the next three (3) ensuing
years.
.2 Academic Member dues are due
and payable to The Organization
on the first day of January of
the year in which the Academic
Member is levied.
.3 Dues of a new Academic Member
shall be prorated as follows: If
enrolment occurs after July
1 but prior to December 1,
dues for the balance of the
calendar year shall amount to
one-half (1/2) the annual dues;
if enrollment is completed
after December 1, dues for the
current calendar year shall be
waived, but annual dues for
the ensuing calendar year shall
immediately become due and
payable.
At the recently held Full Executive
Meeting in Dubai, an appropriate
date and occasion for the launch
of the new category of Academic
Membership was discussed.
Executive agreed that Academic
Department Membership will be
launched at the Wonca Asia Pacific
Regional Conference in Melbourne
on 1-5 October 2008. This would
be an appropriate occasion as the
major Heads of Departments would
be holding their meeting at this
conference. Following that launch,
similar regional launches of the
Academic Department Membership
will be held at the regional conference
in Johannesburg in March 09, in
Puerto Rico in April 09, and in Basel,
Switzerland in September 09.
In the meanwhile, the Wonca
Secretariat will be sourcing information
on the many Academic Departments
of Family Medicine / General Practice
/ Primary Care in the medical schools
and universities of the Wonca
Regions. These departments will be
the target of publicity and promotion
of this special and new category
of Wonca membership. The Wonca
Secretariat in consultation with the
Wonca Membership Committee will
finalise the application form and
membership information sheet.
Readers of this column keen
to find out more on this Wonca
Academic Department Membership
should send their enquiries to the
Wonca Secretariat at admin@wonca.
com.sg
Dr Alfred Loh
Chief Executive Officer
World Organization of Family
Doctors
WONCA
News
FROM THE CEO’S DESk / FROM THE EDITOR
5
FEATURE STORIES
WONCA WORkING PARTY
ON EDUCATION HOLDS
INAUGURAL MEETING
The first meeting of the new
Wonca Working Party on Education
was held in Singapore on 24th July
2007. Education is core business
for Wonca. Our global organisation
and our member organisations have
an important leadership role in the
ongoing development of education,
training, assessment and continuing
professional development for family
medicine and general practice.
The Wonca Working Party on
Education was established to:
1. Support quality education, train-
ing, assessment and continuing
professional development in
general practice / family medicine
2. Support the setting and maintain-
ing of national and international
standards for education, train-
ing, assessment and continuing
professional development in
general practice / family medicine
3. Develop education, training, as-
sessment and continuing profes-
sional development policy for
Wonca
4. Provide links to education, train-
ing, assessment and continuing
professional development resourc-
es and people for the member
organisations of Wonca
5. Support high quality education
at Wonca conferences by acting
as a resource, if invited, for Host
Organising Committees of Wonca
World and Regional conferences
6. Act as a resource on education,
training, assessment and continuing
elected officials and the public.
This issue of Wonca News reports
on Wonca’s participation in the
WHO’s World Health Assembly; the
III IberoAmericana-CIMF Summit on
Family Medicine in Forteleza, Brazil;
the Family Medicine Research Meeting
in Cali, Columbia, and a series of
important meetings held throughout
Wonca Europe.
Readers are encouraged to visit
Wonca Online – GlobalFamilyDoctor.
com for a complete listing of
information on relevant meetings of
Wonca’s Regions, Working Groups
and member organizations.
If you have a relevant meeting
that you would like to publicize in
Global Meetings for the Family Doctor,
please email me the information in
the format displayed in the Global
Meetings section of Wonca News.
Marc L. Rivo, M.D, M.P.H.
Editor, Wonca News
marcrivo@aol.com
4566 Prairie Avenue
Miami Beach,
FL 33140 USA
1-305-674-8839 (fax)
professional development for the
Wonca Executive, World Council
and Regional Councils
The Wonca World Council has
agreed that members of the working
party will be appointed by each
Wonca Regional Council. International
experts nominated by Wonca member
organisations will also be welcome as
members and there is an expectation
that they will bring with them the
capacity to facilitate the sharing
of their organisation’s education,
training and assessment resources.
Membership of the working party will
be gender balanced. Membership of
the working party is now open. The
Wonca Webmaster has set up a list
serve for the working party.
Wonca Working Party on Education holding
their historic first meeting in Singapore on
July 24, 2007
Planned activities of the working
party this triennium include:
• A survey of the education, training,
assessment and continuing profes-
sional development resources and
education standards and policies
of each of our member organisa-
tions which can be freely shared
with other member organisations
• The establishment of dis-
cussion lists for member
organisations and Wonca Direct
Members through the Wonca
website on education, training,
assessment and continuing pro-
fessional development in general
practice / family medicine.
• An invitation to Wonca Direct
Members to join a web-based
WONCA
News
FROM THE EDITOR / FEATURES STORIES
6
register of external experts on
aspects of education, training,
assessment and continuing pro-
fessional development in general
practice / family medicine, which
can be used by member organi-
sations, universities and other
organisations seeking support
for examinations, course devel-
opment, training and standards
development.
• A workshop on the role of Wonca
in education, training, assess-
ment and continuing professional
development in conjunction with
a Wonca regional conference in
2008-2010.
• The development of a statement
of principles for medical student
training, postgraduate training
and continuing professional de-
velopment
• The longer term develop-
ment of a guidebook on
education for family medicine with
the aim of seeking the involve-
ment and endorsement of the
World Health Organization.
The working party was pleased
to have the Wonca World Conference
in Singapore last year support the
Singapore Statement which was
developed by the Working Party
and put to the conference by our
President: The Singapore Statement
is that:
• Every medical school in the
world should have an academic
department of family medicine /
general practice, or an equivalent
academic focus.
• Every medical student in the world
should experience family medicine
/ general practice as early as pos-
sible and as often as possible in
their training.
The working party has begun
work on the development of global
family medicine education standards
in three broad areas – medical school
education, post-graduate training and
continuing professional development.
The late Dr Jack Rodnick was leading
this work, and this project will
continue as a tribute to Jack’s
inspirational contribution over many
years to family medicine education
around the world.
Professor Michael Kidd
Chair, Wonca Working Party on
Education
michael.kidd@med.usyd.edu.au
WONCA IBEROAMERICANA-
CIMF HOSTS 3RD FAMILY
MEDICINE SUMMIT
Continuing its strategy to sensitize
health policymakers in Latin America
and advocate for Primary Health
Care and Family Medicine, Wonca
Iberoamericana-CIMF held its third
Iberoamerican Summit in Family
Medicine in Fortaleza, Brazil April
29-30, 2008. The first Iberoamerican
Summit in Family Medicine was held
in Seville in May, 2002 and the
second summit in Santiago de Chile
in October 2005.
Brazil served as a model for what
enlightened policymakers and the
public can do to strengthen health
systems through primary health care
and family medicine. Brazil has
established a nation-wide Family
Health Program (FHP) based on the
Family Doctor, which has expanded
its coverage from a negligible
population in 1996 to almost 100
million people (more than 50% of the
population) at this time. This Federal
program is one of the leading health
policies in Brazil to increase equity
and quality in health care through
improvement in access, coverage and
outcomes, especially for the most
vulnerable populations. Because of
its magnitude and extension, FHP has
become one of the most important
developments in Primary Care and
Family Medicine worldwide.
Wonca IberoAmericana-CIMF
President Dolfi Rubinstein addresses
the participants, with (at his left),
Inez Padula Anderson, President of
the Brazilian Society and Chair of
the Conference, (at her right) the
Minister of Brazil, and (at Dolfi’s
right) the Minister of Portugal.
Wonca President Chris van Weel receiving a
special picture from the Chair of the III Summit,
Inez Padula Anderson, with a logo in English,
Spanish and Portuguese for the Wonca slogan
“A Family Doctor for Each Family” .
The III Summit was a high-
profile political event organized by
the Ministry of Health of Brazil and
Wonca Iberoamericana CIMF, with the
support of PAHO/WHO, coordinated
by the Brazilian Society of Family and
Community Medicine (SBMFC) and
chaired by Dr Inez Padula Anderson,
her President. The conference was
attended by almost 150 delegates,
including Ministers of Health (Brazil,
Portugal and Uruguay) and high
officers of the Ministries from most
of the countries of the Region, Deans
of medical schools and other policy
WONCA
News
FEATURE STORIES
7
makers involved in PHC in the region.
Additionally, Wonca President Chris
Van Weel, Wonca President-elect Rich
Roberts, as well as the Presidents and
Delegates of all 20 Family Medicine
Associations of Wonca Iberoamericana-
CIMF, participated actively in the
meeting. Conferences, panels and
working sessions were very intense and
productive. At the end
of the Summit
the “Carta de Fortaleza”, containing the
main conclusions of the small-group
sessions, was read to all the audience.
The III Family Medicine Summit
provided a unique opportunity to join
policy makers, PAHO/WHO, academia
and leading family doctors together to
focus on health system improvement.
The Fortaleza Summit provided an
important forum to advocate for the
betterment of population health
in terms of equity, effectiveness
and quality by strengthening and
expanding Primary Health Care and
Family Medicine. The Fortaleza Summit
showcased the remarkable visibility and
growth of our specialty in the region.
Professor Adolfo Rubinstein
IberoAmericana-CIMF Regional
President
adolfo.rubinstein@hospitalitaliano.
org.ar
WEBSITE LAUNCED FOR
19
TH
WONCA WORLD
CONFERENCE 2010 IN
CANCUN
We have officially launched our
website to publicize the 19
th
Wonca
World Conference to be held May
19-23, 2010 in Cancun Mexico. The
address is: www.wonca2010cancun.
com
In October 2004, the Wonca World
Council designated the Mexican
College of Family Medicine as
organizer of the 19th Wonca World
Conference of Family Doctors, to be
held in the city of Cancun, state of
Quintana Roo, Mexico, from 19th to
23rd May 2010. This historic World
Council decision marked the first
time in the history of the World
Organization of Family Doctors
(World) that a Latin American country
will be the venue for a world event
of this kind, the 19th Wonca World
Conference of Family Doctors. Come
and enjoy our incredible culture and
the best hospitality.
This Conference will spread the
latest scientific and technological
breakthroughs in our discipline. It
will draw the attention of the family
doctors from different parts for the
world and will lead to the reflection
on the technical and social role that
Family Medicine must have to achieve
the international goals that were
proposed in the 2000 Millennium
Summit: the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs).
The Mexican College of Family
Medicine invites you to join more
than 6,000 international colleagues
in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico in
May 2010.
Dr. Javier Dominguez del Olmo
Chair, Host Organizing Committee
19
th
Wonca World Conference
Jdo14@hotmail.com
WONCA REGIONAL NEWS
WONCA HOLDS FAMILY
MEDICINE RESEARCH
CONFERENCE IN
COLUMBIA
Although South America has not
been noted for its strength in Family
Medicine Research, a meeting held
in Cali Columbia February 27 to
29th went a long way to reverse this
perception. The first day opening by
Julian Herrera, who led the scientific
programe for the meeting. Some 325
students, residents, and researchers
attended from 18 South and Central
American countries, including Mexico
and Santo Domingo. The first day
opening by Julian Herrera, who lead
the scientific program for the meeting,
was followed by all day workshops for
developing research capacity building
programs, developing a research
culture and epidemiologic methods. At
least five countries committed to begin
a five-weekend research program
for practitioners and faculty to learn
about research in Family Medicine by
developing answers for their research
questions. Subsequent to the meeting
an application for funds to support 5
to 7 programs has been made.
Liliana Arias-Castillo, a family
physician researcher and Dean of
the Faculty of Health Science at
Universidad del Valle, who also chaired
the Conference Organizing Committee,
introduced the second and third days.
Adolfo Rubenstein, Wonca Ibero-
Americana CIMF Region President,
also brought greetings and presented
two papers on his own research.
The two-day meeting that followed
included 35 papers presented in three
simultaneous sessions covering a wide
range of topics and issues.
WONCA
News
FEATURES STORIES / WONCA REGIONAL NEWS
8
Family Doctors at the Wonca Cali Research Conference, from left to
right: Dr Yclin Jaén Resident of Family Medicine, Panamá; Dr Howard
Tandeter Professor of Family Medicine, Ben Gurion University, Israel;
Dr Walter Rosser, Chairman Department of Family Medicine, Queens
University, Canada and Chair, WONCA Research Working Party; and Dr
Rodrigues, family physician and Dean of Faculty of Health, University
of Panama
Professor Liliana Arias-Castillo, a family physician researcher, Dean of
the Faculty of Health Sciences at Universidad del Valle, and Conference
Organizing Committee Chair, leads the Cali Research Meeting participants
in a display of their national flags
Julian Herrera, a professor at the Universidad del Valle,
reported one outstanding research program of more
than two decades. In the early 1990’s, he determined that
a combination of Linoleic Acid and Calcium as well as
use of a bio psychosocial model to deliver prenatal care
would dramatically reduce the incidence of preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia was the leading cause of both maternal and
perinatal mortality in Columbia. Julian presented a 10-year
follow up of this program. In areas where the program
has been adopted the maternal mortality rates dropped
dramatically, and even to zero in some communities. Not
surprisingly, governments and health departments have
become very supportive in adopting this program to see
the decrease in the high costs of premature births.
This particular research example illustrates the huge
potential for saving lives and improving health through
the findings and implementation of excellent family
medicine research. This example also illustrates how long
and difficult a road it is to implement these ideas that
were initially rejected by Obstetricians and only after out
of country validation in Bangladesh, where the research
findings were widely accepted. This work also illustrates
that governments will be supportive of research if they
see positive impacts from the implementation of such
research findings.
The meeting closed with an agreement among
participating South American countries that a research
network would be formed between them and that a
follow up meeting would occur next year. Discussion also
ensued about the formation of a Family Medicine research
institute similar to the one described by Howard Tandeter
of Ben Gurion University in Israel.
A meeting could not be held in Cali, the world center
for Salsa, without dancing and entertainment. Liliana and
Julian made sure that all had a great time mixed with the
hard work and little sleep. This meeting should provide
inspiration for other WONCA regions where research has
not been in the forefront of Family Medicine development.
The concrete outcomes from the first research meeting
of this kind held in South America are agreements to
develop a strong and effective research network and
research programs throughout South America. WONCA and
the Family of Family Medicine are very grateful to Liliana
and Julian for their remarkable leadership.
Professor Walter Rosser
Chair, Wonca Working Party on Research
janwalt2000@yahoo.com
WONCA EUROPE REGION UPDATE
After the meeting of the Wonca Region Europe
Executive, which took place in Istanbul in February, I have
made the following travels:
The conference of ESR in Vienna – March 7-8
I attended the meeting of the European Society of
Radiology (ESR). They hold their meetings annually
in Vienna and the conferences attract abot 25 000
participants. This year they have added a session, ‘ESR
Meets Other Disciplines’ and family medicine was selected
for the first session. Christos Lionis, Manfred Maier
and I represented Wonca in a session where the same
issue were commented on by radiologists and us. The
atmosphere was very friendly and there was a genuine
feeling that this was a fruitful session and that we can
and should learn from each other.
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9
European Forum for Primary Care meeting in Ljubljana-
March 28-29
The meeting of the European Forum for Primary Care
was organised in Ljubljana in March. I was asked to give a
keynote about the perspective of primary health centres in
Eastern Europe. The meeting was hosted by our National
Health Insurance and organised by the European Forum for
Primary Care and Wonca Europe. It was well attended by
policymakers and colleagues, a lot of them from Eastern
Europe.
Meeting of heads of colleges in Lisbon – April 4-6
This event was organised by the Portuguese College
on our behalf. It was a very impressive and important
meeting of 23 head executives of European colleges.
The aim of the meeting was to exchange opinions about
the future and the functioning of member colleges. An
important issue that was discussed during the conference
was the relationship of Wonca and the European Union of
General Practitioners (UEMO) and the potential of Wonca
to get involved in policy discussions. There was a general
dissatisfaction as to how UEMO is representing family
medicine at the European level. I explained the history
of the relationship. I am hopeful that the situation will
improve, but would also like to have your suggestions
as to how this should be improved. I am grateful to
Luis Pisco and the entire Portuguese college to have the
courage and vision to organise this initiative. I hope it
will become a regular one, since it has obviously proven
to be successful.
Meeting with the Teachers of General Practice in Dublin
– April 8-10
I was invited by the organisers of training schemes
in Ireland to give a presentation about a potential use
of teaching agenda. After the presentation, I ran a series
of three workshops on family medicine teaching and the
use of teaching agenda in one-to-one teaching.
Portuguese College Meeting in Porto - April 18-20
I was invited by the organisers to give a presentation
on the use of educational agenda in construction of the
curricula and other uses in general practice. The meeting
was attended by heads of teaching institutions of general
practice from Portugal and some high policy officials
(deans etc.). It was sponsored by a pharmaceutical
industry which seems very keen in supporting primary
care and family medicine without direct marketing for
drugs.
A Conference on E-Health in Slovenia – May 6
The Slovenian government has organised a conference
on e-health without frontiers in Portoro, Slovenia. I
was invited to attend as a keynote at the opening of
the conference, together with the Swedish Minister of
Health, a representative of software producers and a
representative of consumers. My role was to represent
the medical profession and primary care.
Professor Igor Svab
Wonca Europe Regional President
Igor.svab@mf.uni-lj.si
WONCA EUROPE REGIONAL IN ISTANBUL
SEPTEMBER 4-7
The Turkish Association of Family Physicians welcomes
you to the Wonca Europe 2008 Conference that will be
held in Istanbul, Turkey, on September 4-7, 2008. The
theme of the conference is “Overcoming the distance”
Family practice - bringing the art of medicine to the
people. Working together with National Colleges, European
Network Organizations and Special Interest Groups we aim
to come together in largest collaboration possible also with
a large number of Turkish colleagues. Even with attendance
beyond Europe, we will have the opportunity to find out
our similarities and differences in a comprehensive scientific
program.
We are very excited for this opportunity to meet
our colleagues from various countries in Istanbul, a
magnificent metropolis with a rich history. We aim to
bring together family physicians of different affiliations
like universities, hospitals or community based settings
to review basic principles of and latest evidence about
family medicine, and exchange experiences in the
framework of a rich, comprehensive scientific program.
The conference will feature sessions on the primary
health care/family medicine approach to various clinical
issues, undergraduate and postgraduate training in family
medicine, a comparative review of family practice in
different countries with different health care systems, and
basic principles of family medicine.
In Turkey, family medicine is a relatively young
discipline and much has been accomplished in its
rich history of 23 years. There is constant effort to further
develop and strengthen family medicine as a clinical and
academic discipline through our professional association
TAHUD, our Board TAHYK, our peer reviewed journals, 38
academic departments of family medicine, and our broad
community of family physicians, who work as clinicians
in hospitals and community based settings. We believe
that your participation in this conference will constitute
an important contribution to our efforts to strengthen
the discipline of family medicine and to improve quality
of primary health care in Turkey an in Europe as well.
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WONCA REGIONAL NEWS
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Istanbul, at the Southeast end of geographical Europe,
where Europe meets Asia, where cultures and civilizations
meet, will be the ideal place to discuss “Overcoming
the distance”. Looking at the other continent, with
all its beauty, just a few hundred meters away, within
minutes to reach, will make us think again about how
far really “the distance” is. We will be looking at various
aspects of our discipline thoroughly, from many different
viewpoints, but to learn from each other, in order to
bring our distance as near as possible.
The challenge is ahead of us, to have a WONCA Europe
Conference with more than 4500 colleagues and also
making it a long remembered one, both with its Scientific
and Social events.
Registration is available online at www.
WoncaEurope2008.com.
We look forward to welcoming you to Istanbul.
With our kindest regards,
Assoc. Prof. Nezih Dagdeviren, MD
Erdem Birgül, MD
Co-Chairman, Host Organizing Committee
Prof. Füsun Ersoy, MD
Chair of the Scientific Committee
ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL IN MELBOURNE
OCTOBER 1-5
Family doctors, general practitioners and all those
interested in the practice of family medicine are invited
to Melbourne, Australia for the WONCA 2008 Asia Pacific
Regional Conference which is being combined with The
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
51st Annual Scientific Convention (ASC) on 1–5 October
2008.
Our conference theme, ‘A celebration of diversity’
explores the wide ranging, all encompassing nature of
the way our profession provides primary care to our
patients, and supports health care in our communities
and nations.
The Scientific Program will feature several renowned
national and international speakers and includes the world
and regional presidents of Wonca. The presentations will
comprise a mix of expert plenary lectures, workshops,
paper and poster sessions, all of which will address the
conference theme of “a celebration of diversity”. Topics
will include updates in clinical care, developments in
medical education, health service delivery, primary care
in challenging environments, general practice research,
and the social and cultural contexts of family medicine.
Overseas visitors will have an opportunity to learn about
family medicine in Australia, while Australians will learn
from a diversity of international experiences.
Registration is available online at www.wonca2008.
com
Come to the multicultural city of Melbourne and
experience a high quality professional program in first
class conference facilities, and the world-class attractions
of this city. Cosmopolitan Melbourne offers a unique mix
of international cultures, reflected in the diversity of food,
cultures and lifestyles and promises an unforgettable
conference experience.
Forever known as the “Garden City” owing to its
picturesque botanic gardens and parks, Melbourne now
claims the privilege of being the “the world’s most livable
city”. Melbourne is renowned for its festivals and sporting
events, staging an exciting variety of entertainment each
year including the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, the
Australian Open Tennis, the Melbourne Food and Wine
Festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival,
the Melbourne Film Festival, the Boxing Day Test Cricket,
the AFL Grand Final, the Heineken Golf Classic, and the
Spring Racing Carnival.
The RACGP and WONCA looks forward to welcoming
you to Melbourne in 2008.
Professor Michael Kidd
Dr Vasantha Preetham
Co-Covenor
Associate Professor Peter Schattner
Chair, Scientific Program Committee
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WONCA REGIONAL NEWS
11
HEALTH AND HEALTH
SYSTEM NEWS
WONCA ATTENDS WHO’S
61
ST
WORLD HEALTH
ASSEMBLY IN GENEVA
Wonca is recognised as one of
the nongovernmental organisations
in official relations with the World
Health Organization (WHO) and is
the recognised nongovernmental
organisation for family medicine.
This is recognition of the importance
to global health of family medicine
and primary health care and the
recognised role of Wonca as the
international leader in setting
standards for clinical practice and
education and training and research
in family medicine around the world
and as the representative of colleges,
societies and associations of family
medicine and general practice in
over 100 countries. In this role
Wonca can advocate with the WHO
about primary health care and the
role of family doctors in ensuring
strong primary care is available to
all people in each of the countries
of the world.
The WHO is the authority on
international health within the United
Nations’ system and is led by
its Director-General. WHO experts
produce health guidelines and
standards, and assist countries to
address public health issues. Through
the WHO, governments can jointly
tackle global and regional and local
health problems and work together
to improve the well being of the
people of the world.
The World Health Assembly is the
annual meeting of the delegations
from the 193 countries that make up
the WHO membership. The World
Health Assembly is held in the main
United Nations assembly hall in the
Palace of Nations in Geneva. Each
In her address to the World
Health Assembly Dr Chan said,
“When I took office at the start of
last year, I called for a return to
primary health care as an approach
to strengthening health systems.
My commitment has deepened. If
we want to reach the health-related
Millennium Development Goals, we
must return to the values, principles,
and approaches of primary health
care. Fortunately, the Commission
on Social Determinants of Health
will be releasing its report later this
year. The findings should help us
address the root causes of inequities
with greater precision.”
Dr Chan spoke about this year’s
World Health Report that will be
released in mid-October to coincide
with the 30
th
anniversary of the
Declaration of Alma-Ata, the WHO
statement that called for health for
all through primary health care. Dr
Chan advised the assembly, “the
report has undergone unprecedented
peer review from top experts in
every region, representing the
most intensive consultation process
since the first World Health Report
was issued in 1995.” She stated,
“the report will help concretize my
commitment to primary health care,
while giving policymakers a realistic
assessment of what can be achieved
and how it can be done.” Wonca
members have been involved in
the development and review of this
year’s World Health Report.
In her address to the assembly, Dr
Chan, spoke about the impact of the
recent humanitarian crises following
the cyclone in Myanmar and the
earthquake in China. She also
outlined the three global crises that
she sees “looming on the horizon”:
problems with access to adequate
food and soaring prices leading to
undernutrition, the growing impact
of climate change and the continuing
risk of pandemic influenza.
national delegation usually includes
that nation’s Minister for Health and
other senior government members
and senior Health Department
bureaucrats. The assembly meets
each year to set policy for the WHO,
to approve the WHO budget and,
once every five years, to appoint
the Director-General. A 34-member
Executive Board that is elected by
the Assembly supports the work of
the World Health Assembly. There
are also six regional committees
which focus on health matters of a
regional nature. Non-government
organisations in official relations
with the WHO, including Wonca, are
invited to attend the annual World
Health Assembly as observers.
This year’s World Health Assembly
was the celebration of 60 years
of the World Health Organization.
Wonca’s delegation to the 61
st
World
Health Assembly included Wonca
CEO Dr Alfred Loh and Wonca’s WHO
Liaison person Professor Michael
Kidd.
ADDRESS BY THE WHO
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
One of the highlights of the
WHO World Health Assembly is the
annual address where the Director-
General outlines the work plan for the
organization over the coming year.
At last year’s World Health Assembly,
the then newly appointed Director-
General, Dr Margaret Chan, outlined
her aims for strengthening the role of
the World Health Organization (WHO)
in primary health care. Since last year
there has been significant action,
especially with the development
of the 2008 World Health Report,
which is devoted to primary health
care, the focus around developments
in primary health care since the
Declaration of Alma Ata 30 years ago,
and attention throughout the WHO
to aspects of primary health care. Last
year also saw the first formal meeting
by a delegation from Wonca with the
WHO Director-General.
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HEALTH AND HEALTH SYSTEM NEWS
12
Dr Chan also spoke about the health-related Millennium
Development Goals. The timetable for meeting the goals
has now passed the halfway mark with the goals set in
2000 due to the attained by 2015. Dr Chan called for
more investment in “human and institutional capacity,
in health information and in the systems for delivery” in
order to strive to meet the Goals.
In reference to the health-related Goals, Dr Chan spoke
about progress in tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the
growing problem of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis,
the co-epidemics of HIV and TB, and encouraging progress
on malaria with rapid declines in mortality in parts of
Africa. Dr Chan spoke about achievements in reducing
childhood mortality and research on primary health care
successes through models of community and home-based
care. Dr Chan also spoke about the persisting and
unacceptable high level of maternal mortality.
Dr Chan reinforced that any discussion of health
development must include the chronic non-communicable
diseases and detailed the action plan being presented
to the World Health Assembly for consideration. Wonca
members have had input into the development of this
action plan.
Dr Chan highlighted how in February 2008 WHO
launched the first-ever report on the global tobacco
epidemic that sets out country-specific data on tobacco
use and also the use of proven control measures such
as tobacco taxes.
Dr Chan outlined progress in the control of neglected
tropical diseases with safe and powerful drugs being
donated or made available at very low cost, and the
development of integrated approaches for tackling several
of these diseases at once.
In conclusion Dr Chan stated, “Good health is a
foundation for prosperity and contributes to stability,
and these are assets for every country. A world that is
out of balance in matters of health is neither stable nor
secure.”
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
One of the main features of this year’s World Health
Assembly was a technical briefing on revitalizing primary
health care.
The session was opened with a strong address from Dr
Margaret Chan on how the WHO is responding to the calls
from so many nations to strengthen the WHO initiatives
in primary health care and provide active and practical
support. Dr Chan especially focused on community
ownership of primary health care and the challenges of
long-term sustainability.
This was followed by an address from Dr Mahler who
was WHO Director-General at the time of the original
Alma-Ata Declaration 30 years ago and who outlined the
need for social change as well as medical technology to
promote health for all, and the need for individual, family
and community participation. He ended with the quote
that “Visionaries have always been the true realists”.
This was followed by excellent presentations from
speakers from India, Brazil and Thailand about community
engagement in primary health care in India, the strength
of family health teams in Brazil, and the huge shift of
patient care from tertiary to primary care in Thailand.
The speaker from Thailand, Komatra Chuengsatiansup
said, “Primary health care is a compassionate scientific
practice”, which is an interesting equivalent to the
motto of the RCGP and many of our other member
organisations “cum scientia caritas.”
The session concluded with a statement from the
Minister of Health of Kazakhstan, where Almaty is now
located. A WHO conference will be held in Almaty in
October for the launch of the World Health Report.
WONCA’S WORk WITH THE WORLD HEALTH
ORGANIZATION
Wonca continues a strong program of work with
the WHO especially in the areas of primary health care,
chronic disease prevention and management, mental
health and classification. Wonca has had involvement
in 2008 in the development of the World Health Report
on Primary Health Care and in the Action Plan on
Noncommunicable Diseases.
Wonca and the WHO will be releasing a major report
on integrating mental health into primary care later in
2008.
Wonca continues to work closely with the WHO on the
incorporation of Wonca’s International Classification on
Primary Care (ICPC) into the WHO Family of International
Classifications.
Wonca is developing a resolution for the 2009 World
Health Assembly on the importance of primary care for
all people in the world, based on the excellent work of
our Rural Working Party on seeking health for all rural
people.
WONCA
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HEALTH AND HEALTH SYSTEM NEWS
13
MEMBER AND ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS
RESEARCH WORkING GROUP ADOPTS AMBITIOUS
MISSION
The WONCA working Group on Research has adopted the Mission of having
every WONCA family incorporate the development of new knowledge as an integral
part of their practice. The Working group sponsored a workshop at the WONCA
Singapore meeting to assess where we were at in achieving our lofty goal. We
first heard from Francisco Cavalino Gomez of Mexico, the newly elected leader
of the International Federation of Primary care Research Networks. He proposed
that the 153 corresponding members of this organization can assist and promote
network development around the world. Networks provide an excellent way for
practitioners in any country to participate in the generation of new knowledge.
Anyone interested should contact Francisco.
Julian Herrera of Colombia reported on behalf of the IberoAmericana region.
Although European developments in research have occurred in Portugal and
Spain there had been little development in South America. Although this is a
populous region with many medical schools majority of medical schools do not
have departments of family medicine. Julian’s Medical school in Columbia along
with two medical schools in Mexico sponsored a meeting in January 2008 with
representatives from many South American medical schools with the idea of
discussing how this situation might change (see accompanied article). The Italian
model of developing research endeavours with private research institutes may be
worth considering in his environment.
Larry Green reported on behalf of North America. All Canadian medical schools
and most American medical schools have Departments of Family Medicine, many
of which also support research development. All residency programs are required
to have exposure to research as part of their curriculum. The American Academy of
Family Physicians first adopted the idea that the generation of new knowledge be
incorporated into every family practice. The North American Primary Care Research
group in its 35
th
year has been a major contributor to research capacity building
and is now promoting research in the English speaking Caribbean. The Working
Group plans its next meeting in 2008 in Puerto Rico in conjunction with WONCA
North America and NAPCRG.
Christos Lionis reported as Chair of the European Primary Care Research
Network (EGPRN). This organization has been very creative and active in Europe
for more than 20 years. There are now thirty countries participating in research
capacity building programs. Most countries have language barriers to overcome.
The fact that there are at least 30 journals those are in languages other than
English that are not registered with Index Medicus suggests that a considerable
volume of research knowledge in Family Practice is not being shared widely. It is
hoped that publishing abstracts of this work in English and displaying them on
the WONCA web site might overcome this loss of new knowledge. The EGPRN will
continue its development, with workshops, paper presentations and promotion
of networks. The Brisbane group has developed a 1 week workshop occurring
in Oxford England bringing together individuals who are working towards a PHD
in primary care to stimulate networking and thinking in primary care issues. The
first week was very successful in June 2006 and a second group of 10 individuals
Many areas of the WHO are
interested in further work with
Wonca bringing the perspective
of family medicine into WHO
initiatives on the prevention and
management of major health
problems. The relationship
between the two organisations
is strong and mutually respectful,
especially following the historic
meeting between the Wonca
President and the WHO Director-
General in November 2007.
Professor Michael Kidd
Wonca Liaison Person to the
World Health Organisation
and Wonca Treasurer and Member
at Large
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HEALTH AND HEALTH SYSTEM NEWS / MEMBER AND ORGANIZATION NEWS
14
has been chosen and will meet in the next few months.
Many European countries have developed strong research
programs usually linked with PHD programs in University
departments. (Visit GlobalFamilyDoctor.com to link with
the WONCA Research Working Group site for details),
Cindy Lam presented a summary of activities in the
Asia Pacific region. This is the world’s most populous
region with great variation in the development of
Family Medicine as a discipline. Strong departments
can be found in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong
and Singapore. Departments are developing in Japan,
Thailand, Taiwan and Malaysia. However much work
remains to be done in the giants of India and China the
world’s two most populous countries.(Cindy’s excellent
slides can be found at GlobalFamilyDoctor.com at the
WONCA Working Group on Research site) A number of
regional research meetings have been held in the past
and more are planned. The very generous contribution
from the Taiwan Chinese Family Practice Association will
assist one or two young researchers a year to present
their papers at an international WONCA meeting.
Although there were no representatives present from
Africa, there was excellent news from Jan De Maeseneer
of Ghent Belgium who has developed a partnership with 9
African countries’ medical schools. The European common
Market has agreed to support the development of new
Departments of Family Medicine in these and hopefully
more African countries over the next decade. The Research
Working Group plans to meet representatives from these
schools in March of 2009 facilitating development of
research programs throughout the continent.
Although our mission is very challenging and may
seem impossible, we are optimistic that much progress
can be made toward achieving the generation and then
integration of new knowledge into every one of the
worlds’ family practices. The Mission will become much
more possible if all current members of WONCA join in
the effort.
Professor Walter Rosser
Chair, Wonca Working Party on Research
janwalt2000@yahoo.com
TEN YEARS OF FAMILY MEDICINE IN THE
UkRAINE
The end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 were important
times in the development of Family Medicine in Ukraine.
From the days of independence in 1992 the Ukrainian
Government has been very positive in its view that Family
Medicine was a necessary and important entity in the move
towards an efficient and cost-effective health service. This
led to the development of a very strong link programme
with the United Kingdom’s Royal College of General Practice
(RCGP) that ran from 1994 until 2001 and the formation
of the first departments of Family Medicine (1996), the
Ukrainian Association of Family Medicine (1997), and the
creation of the first specialised Ukrainian journal “Family
Medicine” (1997).
The Ukraine delegation being received by RCGP-Scotland (Left to
right): Dr Lyudmila Khimion (Vice President Ukraine Association)
Prof. Trevor Gibbs (Deputy Chair RCGP-Scotland)
Prof. Grygorii Lysenko (President Ukraine Association)
Mrs. Ruth Wallace ( Head RCGP-Scotland)
Dr Ken Lawton ( Chair RCGP-Scotland)
Rusanivka clinic, Darnitsa district of Ukraine. One of the new Family
Medicine clinics being developed
The year 2007 saw the tenth anniversary of the Association,
which was marked by a Ukraine-wide Conference held in
Kiev on the 2
nd
and 3
rd
of October, 2007. At that conference,
the Association was able to reflect upon the developments
that have occurred, under the expert leadership of its
President, Professor Grygorii Lysenko. Developments
have included:
WONCA
News
MEMBER AND ORGANIZATION NEWS
• The creation of 17 Departments of Family Medicine
throughout Ukraine, each with a departmental head
and academic members, and in some instances a
Professorial Chair.
• At least 7,000 Family Doctors throughout Ukraine
(not as many as is required for the population, but
growing).
• Organisation of 3000 ambulatories (community-
based clinics) of general practice, some of them are
well equipped, “state of the art”, community-based
practices, having computer based registration
for patients and attached practice nurses. This
is associated with the parallel conversion of
many buildings to suit community-based Family
Medicine.
• An input from Family Medicine into Ukraine’s
undergraduate medical schools training through
community-based education.
• A developing vocational training scheme for
postgraduate medical practitioners who wish to
become Family Doctors.
• A conversion course to those graduates who wish
to enter Family Medicine later in their career.
• The beginnings of a Continuing Medical Education
and Continuing Professional Development
programme .
• An annual Conference held through the Association
attracting Family Doctors from all across Ukraine.
• The production of a highly acclaimed Family
Medicine journal, which has recently been given
National Accreditation status.
At the same time, the Conference was able to look
forward to the future and hear what the year 2008 will
bring. A Keynote speaker at the Conference was Professor
Trevor Gibbs, RCGP-Scotland Deputy Chair, who having
been involved with the Association since its inception,
and was now able to tell the participants of several new
and exiting prospects:
• The creation of a new link between the Ukraine
Association and RCGP-Scotland. This has been
created to allow Ukraine Family Doctors to visit
Scotland and observe and work with Scottish
General Practitioners as well as Scottish General
Practitioners visiting Ukraine and developing
teaching, learning and research opportunities.
• The start of two new areas of community-based
research looking at the effect of developing clinical
guidelines for Family Doctors (research shared with
the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network) and
the importance of a youth –friendly healthcare
service (research shared with the WHO)
Not wanting to rest on its laurels, The Ukraine
Association of Family Medicine is well aware that there
are still major obstacles ahead. Despite the Government
and Ministry of Health support, Family Medicine still
needs an appropriate legislative basis and recognition as
in independent medical specialty by the medical fraternity.
Until this happens, there can be no expansion of its
vocational training programme to the style experienced
by other European countries.
Much has occurred in Ukraine in the last ten years,
more is to come. Despite the obstacles, Ukraine is
continuing to develop its Family Medicine workforce.
For more information, contact:
Prof. Grygorii Lysenko at fammed@kmapo.kiev.ua
Dr Lyudmila Khimion at ludmilahimion@hotmail.com
Prof. Trevor Gibbs at tjg.gibbs@gmail.com
JAPANESE DELEGATE ATTENDS 8TH WONCA
WORLD RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE IN
NIGERIA
I attended the 8
th
WONCA World Rural Health
Conference in Calabar, Nigeria in February 20-23, 2008.
Thanks to the effective and hospitable management
of the Host Organizing Committee, I had a productive
meeting and enjoyable visit. The Rural Health Conference
provided a wonderful opportunity to communicate with
many delegates, who taught me everything from the
role of family doctors as care coordinators after the
large tsunami in Indonesia, how family doctors in rural
hospitals treat babies and infants, to the important
contribution of Mary Slessor who as Scottish missionary
to Nigeria promoted women’s rights.
Delegates visiting the house (museum) and learning the story of Mary
Slessor
15
WONCA
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MEMBER AND ORGANIZATION NEWS
Furthermore, I was interested in the Nigerian health
education programs provided for women, infants, children
and their families from the family medical clinic. I learned
that proper maternal and child health is essential in
developing countries such as Nigeria. According to global
estimates, the population in developing countries between
2000 and 2050 is projected to increase rapidly from 4.89
to 7.83 billion, compared with a minimal increase from
1.19 to 1.23 billion people in developed countries.
As for Nigeria, I learned that the birth rate is 5.1
times and the infant death rate is 25 times that of Japan.
Population growth can magnify economic problems, in
countries such as Nigeria where 70% of population have
incomes of $1 US per day. The speakers gave me some
hope that Nigeria would solve its various problems and
continue to improve its health, health care, education
and economic conditions in the future, through several
projects its people have launched, such as the National
Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy
(NEEDS) and Universal Basic Education (UBE) Strategy.
I always enjoy and learn so much from our Wonca
conferences, such as Calabar.
Hiroshi BANDO, MD, PhD, FACP
The Chairman of Public Information and Executive
Board Member,
Japanese Academy of Primary Care Physicians,
pianomed@bronze.ocn.ne.jp
RESOURCES FOR THE FAMILY DOCTOR
AFRICAN PRIMAFED PROJECT AND ITS
FIRST NEWSLETTER
The mission of Primafed, under the leadership of
Jan De Maeseneer from Ghent University, Belgium, is
to assist partner universities in Sub-Saharan Africa to
improve family medicine, health systems and ultimately
people’s health. Primafamed is a 2-year project financed
by Edulink-ACP-EU. The objective of the Primafamed
academic family medicine network is to develop a
comprehensive vision and strategy to delineate the
integral contribution of family medicine and primary
health care team to an equitable and accessible
primary health care system of good quality for all.
Primafamed is coordinated from Ghent University, Belgium,
and is working together with 10 partners universities in 8
African countries: Universite de Goma in the DR Congo;
Moi University in Kenya; National University in Kenya; Aga
Khan University in Tanzania; University of Lagos in Nigeria;
Makererer University and Mbarara University in Uganda;
Ahfad University for Woman and the University of Gezira
in Sudan; and the University of Ghana, in Gana.
The first Primafamed newsletter.has been published
and can be read at the Primafed website at www.
primafamed.ugent.be.
Maaike Flinkenflögel, MD
Coordinator Primafamed
Ghent University
primafamed@ugent.be
WONCA
News
MEMBER AND ORGANIZATION NEWS / RESOURCES FOR THE FAMILY DOCTOR
16
17
WONCA CONFERENCES 2008 – 2013 AT A GLANCE
**Wonca Direct Members enjoy lower conference registration fees
See Wonca Website www.GlobalFamilyDoctor.com for upates & membership information
2008
4 – 7 Sept
Europe
Istanbul
Overcoming the distance, Family
Regional
TURKEY
practice - bringing the art of
Conference
medicine to the people
1 – 5 Oct
Asia Pacific
Melbourne
A Celebration of Diversity
Regional
AUSTRALIA
Conference
2009
1-4 March
African
Johannesburg
Family Medicine
Regional Conference
SOUTH AFRICA
in the African Context
23-26 April
Iberoamericana
San Juan
Theme to be confirmed
-CIMF Regional
PUERTO RICO
Conference
5 – 8 June
Asia Pacific
Regional
Hong Kong
Building Bridges
Conference
16 – 19 Sept
Europe
Basel
The Fascination of Complexity -
Regional
SWITZERLAND
Dealing with Individuals in a
Conference
Field of Uncertainty
2010
19 – 23 May
19
th
Wonca
Cancun
Millennium Development Goals:
World
MExICO
the Contribution of Family Medicine
Conference
6-9 October
Europe
Malaga
Family Medicine into the Future
Regional
SPAIN
Blending Health & Cultures
Conference
2011
February
Asia Pacific
Cebu
Paradigms of Family Medicine:
Regional
PHILIPPINES
Bridging Old Traditions with
Conference
New Concepts
2013
June
20
th
Wonca
Prague
Proposed theme:
World Conference
CZECH REPUBLIC
Family Medicine: Care for Generations
Information correct as of February 2008.
May be subject to change.
WONCA
News
WONCA CONFERENCES 2008 - 2013
18
GLOBAL MEETINGS FOR THE
FAMILY DOCTOR
WONCA WORLD AND
REGIONAL CONFERENCE
CALENDAR
Wonca Europe Regional Conference,
Istanbul 2008
Host: Turkish Association of Family
Physicians
Theme: Overcoming the Distance
– Family Practice:
Bringing the Art of Medicine
to the People
Date: 4-7 September 2008
Venue: Istanbul Convention and
Exhibition Center Istanbul,
Turkey
Email: info@woncaeurope2008.org
Web: www.woncaeurope2008.org
Wonca Asia Pacific Regional
Conference, Melbourne 2008
Host: Royal Australian College of
General Practitioners
Theme: A Celebration of Diversity
Date: 1-5 October 2008
Venue: Melbourne, Australia
Contact: The Meeting Planners
91-97 Islington Street
Collingwood Victoria 3066
Australia
Tel: 613 9417 0888
Fax: 613 9417 0899
Email: wonca2008@
meetingplanners.com.au
Web: www.wonca2008.com
Wonca North American Regional
Meeting, Puerto Rico 2008
Host: Wonca North American
Region (in conjunction with
36th North American Primary
Research Group (NAPRG)
meeting)
Date: 15-19 November 2008
Location: Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Venue: Wyndham Rio Del Mar Beach
Resort & Spa
Contact: Dr. Alain Montegut, Wonca
North America Region
President
Angela Broderick, NAPCRG
Executive Director
Tel: 800-274-2237, ext 5406
(NAPCRG)
Email: Alain.Montegut@bmc.org
(Wonca North America Region)
abroderick@stfm.org
(NAPCRG)
Web: www.napcrg.org
Wonca Africa Regional Conference,
Johannesburg 2009
Host: South African Academy of
Family Practice/Primary Care
Theme: A Celebration of Diversity
Date: 1-4 March 2009
Venue: Johannesburg, South Africa
Contact: Professor Khaya Mfenyana
– Convenor
Wonca Africa Regional
President
Walter Sisulu University
Private Bag x1
Mthatha, South Africa
Tel: 27 833 244 4259 or
27 47 502 2728
Fax: 27 47 502 2235
Email: kmfenyana@wsu.ac.za
Wonca Iberoamericana-CIMF Regional
Conference, Puerto Rico 2009
Host: Wonca Iberoamericana-CIMF
Date: 23-26 April 2009
Location: Puerto Rico
Contact: Professor Adolfo Rubinstein
Iberoamericana-CIMF Regional
President
Email: adolfo.rubinstein@
hospitalitaliano.org.ar
Web: www.cimfweb.org
Wonca Asia-Pacific Regional Conference,
Hong kong 2009
Host: Hong Kong College of Family
Physicians, HKCFP
Theme: Building Bridges
Date: 5 - 8 June 2009
Venue: Hong Kong Conventional and
Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
Contact: Dr. Andrew Ip
Chairman, Host Organising
Committee
Hong Kong College of Family
Physicians, HKCFP
Rm 701 HKAM Jockey Club
Bldg.
99 Wong Chuk Hang Road
Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 25286618
Fax: +852 28660616
Email: hkcfp@hkcfp.org.hk
enquiry@wonca2009.org
Web: www.wonca2009.org
Wonca Europe Regional Conference,
Basel, Switzerland 2009
Host: Swiss Society of General
Medicine SSMG/SGAM
Theme: The Fascination of
Complexity - Dealing with
Individuals in a Field of
Uncertainty
Date: 16 - 19 September 2009
Venue: Congress Center Basel,
Switzerland
Contact: Dr Bruno Kissling
Chair Host Organizing
Committee
Swiss Society of General
Medicine SSMG/SGAM
Elfenauweg 6,
CH-3006 Bern
Switzerland
Tel: 0041 352 48 50
Fax: 0041 352 28 84
Email: bruno.kissling@hin.ch
Web: www.woncaeurope2009.org
19th Wonca World Conference, Cancun
2010
Host: Mexican College of Family
Medicine
Theme: Millennium Development
Goals: The Contribution of
Family Medicine
Date: 19-23 May, 2010
Venue: Cancun Conventions and
Exhibition Center, Cancun
Mexico
Contact: Mexican College of Family
Medicine
Anahuac #60
Colonia Roma Sur
06760 Mexico, D.F.
Tel: 52-55 5574
Fax: 52-55 5387
Email: jdo14@hotmail.com
Wonca Europe Regional Conference,
Malaga, Spain 2010
Host: The Spanish Society of
Family and Community
Medicine (SEMFYC)
Theme: Family Medicine into the
Future: Blending Health and
Cultures.
Date: 6-9 October 2010
Venue: Málaga Conference Hall
(Palacio de Ferias y
Congresos de Málaga)
Contact: Dr. Luis Gálvez-Alcaraz
Chair Host Organizing
Committee
Spanish Society Family and
Community Medicine
WONCA
News
GLOBAL MEETINGS FOR THE FAMILY DOCTOR
Address: Portaferrissa, 8, pral.
08002 BARCELONA (España)
Tel: 93 317 03 33
Fax: 93 317 77 72
Email: luisgalvez@semfyc.es
MEMBER ORGANIZATION AND
RELATED MEETINGS
RNZCGP Annual Conference,
Queenstown 2008
Host: The Royal New Zealand
College of General
Practitioners
Theme: Thrills and Spills of General
Practice
Date: 16-19 July 2008
Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
Venue: Millennium Hotel
Contact: Tracey Thomas
Conference Innovators
PO Box 13494
Christchurch, NZ
Tel: 03 379 0390
Fax: 03 379 0460
Email: tracey@conference.co.nz
Web: www.rnzcgp.org.nz
5th AAFP Family Medicine Global
Health Workshop, Denver 2008
Host: American Academy of Family
Physicians
Theme: International Healthcare:
Connecting Universal Family
Medicine Concepts with
Local Needs
Date: September 4-6, 2008
Location: Denver (Broomfield),
Colorado
Venue: Omni Interlocken Resort
Planning Committee Co-Chairs: Edward
J. Shahady, MD and Calvin L.
Wilson, MD
Contact: Rebecca Janssen
Email: rjanssen@aafp.org
Web: www.aafp.org/intl/
workshop08
The Network - Towards Unity for Health
International Conference, Bogota,
Columbia 2008
Host: Toward Unity for Health and
Facultad de Medicina,
Universidad de La Sabana,
Chia-Bogota, Columbia
Theme: Adapting Health Services
and Health Professions
Education to Local Needs:
Partnerships, Priorities and
Passions
Date: September 27 – October 2,
2008
Location: Bogota, Columbia
Contact: www.the-networktufh.org/
conference/registrationform.
asp
Web: www.the-networktufh.org/
conference
RCGP Annual Conference, United
kingdom 2008
Host: Royal College of General
Practitioners
Theme: Creating Solutions for the
Future
Date: 2-4 October, 2008
Location: Bournemouth International
Centre
Contact: Profile Productions
Tel: 020 8832 7311
Email: rcgp@profileproductions.co.uk
Web: www.rcgpannualconference.
org.uk
International Society for Quality in Health
Care, Copenhagen 2008
Host: International Society for
Quality in Health Care (ISQUA)
Theme: Healthcare Quality and Safety:
Meeting the Next Challenges
Date: 19-22 October 2008
Location: Belle Centre, Copenhagen,
Denmark
Contact: To register, send email or fax
with your name, position and
organization
Email: isqua@isqua.org
Fax: +61 3 9417 6851
36th NAPCRG Annual Meeting, Puerto
Rico 2008
Host: North American Primary
Research Group (NAPRG)
Date: 15-19 November 2008
Location: Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Venue: Wyndham Rio Del Mar Beach
Resort & Spa
Contact: Angela Broderick, NAPCRG
Executive Director
Tel: 800-274-2237, ext 5406
Email: abroderick@stfm.org
Web: www.napcrg.org
Depression and Other Common Mental
Disorders in Primary Care, Spain 2008
Host: World Psychiatry Association
and Wonca
Theme: Depression and Other
Common Mental Disorders in
Primary Care
Date: 18-21 June 2008
Location: Grenada, Spain
Contact: To register, send email or fax
with your name, position and
organization
Email: isqua@isqua.org
Info@wpa2008granada.org
Tel: 902 430 960
Fax: 902 430 959
Web: www.fase20.com
1st International Second Life Conference
on Family Medicine, (XXVIII Conference
of Spanish Society of Family and
Community Medicine), Spain 2008
Host: The Spanish Society of Family
and Community Medicine
(SEMFYC)
Theme: “Always with the patients”
Date: November 19-23, 2008
Venue: “Isla de la Salud” Semfyc
Island
Madrid, Spain
Contact: Carmen Moliner Prada,
Chair Host Organising
Committee
Semfyc Congresos
C/ del Pi, 11 - 2ª Pl., Of. 13
08002 Barcelona. Spain.
Language:
Spanish/ English
Tel: 0034 93 317 71 29
Fax: 0034 93 318 69 02
Email: congresos@semfyc.es
Web: congreso2008.semfyc.
gatewaysc.com/
index.cfm?nav_id=339
The College of Family Physicians of
Canada Family Medicine Forum, Toronto
2008
Date: November 27-29, 2008
Venue: Sheraton Centre
Toronto, Ontario
Contact: Michelle Gutkin
Registration Coordinator
The College of Family
Physicians of Canada
2630 Skymark, Mississauga
(ON), L4W 5A4
Tel: 1.800.387.6197 #800
Email: mg@cfpc.ca
Web: http://fmf.cfpc.ca
19
WONCA
News
GLOBAL MEETINGS FOR THE FAMILY DOCTOR
