Wonca grows; World Council tackles global problems -- FP Report

Wonca 2004

Wonca grows; World Council tackles global problems

BY TONI LAPP

When Wonca's World Council last met in 2001, Wonca represented 65 countries. At the World Council meeting Oct. 12, Wonca's (then) President Michael Boland, M.D., of Ireland told attendees that the organization now comprises 100 member organizations, representing 83 countries.

Not only that, but a new region has been formed since 2001 -- Wonca Iberoamericana -- to represent Latin America, the Spanish-speaking Caribbean and the Iberian Peninsula.

Such growth presents a challenge for an organization with a mission to improve the standing of primary care worldwide. "The concern is," Boland explained, "how do we increase resources to improve the position of family medicine in countries joining us -- especially developing countries?"

Wonca regional representatives worked on initiatives such as the following:

A presentation by pharmaceutical representatives and Wonca leaders addressed the interface between pharmaceutical companies and medical organizations. Council members created a mandate to address the need for educational materials to be disseminated to the developing world, said Wonca's (then) President-elect Professor Bruce Sparks of South Africa.
Sparks said the mandate to disseminate pharmaceutical education to the developing world will address the need to better use medical resources.
The Wonca council adopted a statement in favor of human rights and against torture of prisoners. The resolution led to a declaration that was not specific to any country, said Daniel Ostergaard, M.D., chair of the host organizing committee and AAFP vice president for international and interprofessional activities. The statement is in keeping with AMA and AAFP ethical principles, which the Academy has testified in favor of, Ostergaard said.

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