 |
| ASSEMBLY EDITION • ORLANDO, FLA |
When Wonca's World Council last met in 2001, the organization represented 65 countries. At the World Council meeting Tuesday, Wonca 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 - even in developing countries with limited resources, Boland said. "With this global reach comes global responsibility," he said. "Some of our new members have limited resources."
"The concern is," he explained, "how do we increase resources to improve the position of family medicine in countries joining us - especially developing countries?"
At the same time, the organization has opportunities to make real strides toward its mission, Boland said.
Wonca regional representatives have been meeting since Saturday, working 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 for the Wonca Executive Committee to outline appropriate relationships for interaction between the pharmaceutical industry and Wonca with appropriate guidelines. This action was taken to address the need for educational materials to be disseminated to the developing world, said Wonca's president-elect, Professor Bruce Sparks of South Africa.
• 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.
Sparks said the mandate to disseminate pharmaceutical education to the developing world will address the need to better use medical resources.
Sparks will become Wonca president on Friday and give his inaugural address at 1530 in the Valencia Room.
FP Report is
published by the AAFP News Department.
Copyright © 2003 by American Academy of Family Physicians.