Council Report Web EN

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THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
Activity Report to the
218th
WMA Council Session
(October 2020 – September
2021)
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REPORT OF ACTIVITIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter I Ethics, Advocacy & Representations
1. COVID-19
2. Ethics
2.1 International Code of Medical Ethics
2.2 Monitoring the Use and Application of the Declaration of Helsinki
3. Health-related Human Rights
3.1 Right to health
3.2 Protecting patients and doctors in distress
3.3 Prevention of torture and ill-treatment
3.4 Health through peace
3.5 Sexual orientation and gender identity
4. Public Health
4.1 Non-communicable diseases
4.2 Communicable diseases
4.3 Health and populations exposed to discrimination
4.4 Social determinants of health and universal health coverage (UHC)
4.5 Health and the environment
4.6 Health implications of the use of genetic resources
5. Health Systems
5.1 Primary health care
5.2 Patient safety
5.3 Antimicrobial resistance
5.4 Health workforce
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6. Health Policy & Education
6.1 Medical and health policy development and education
6.2 Support for national constituent members
Chapter II Partnership & Collaboration
1. World Health Organization (WHO)
2. UNESCO Conference on Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health Law
3. Other UN agencies
4. World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA)
5. WMA Cooperating Centers
6. World Continuing Education Alliance (WCEA)
7. Other partnerships or collaborations with health and human rights organizations
Chapter III Communication & Outreach
1. WMA newsletter
2. WMA social media (Twitter and Facebook)
3. The World Medical Journal
4. WMA Annual Report
5. Secondments / internships
Chapter IV Operational Excellence
1. Advocacy
Chapter V Acknowledgement
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CHAPTER I ETHICS, ADVOCACY & REPRESENTATION
1. COVID-19
On 31 January 2021 the World Medical Association was awarded the Golden Arrow Award by
the Vienna Congress. The award, usually bestowed on individuals for their lifetime
achievements, was this year given to the WMA as the representative organisation of the
physicians of the world in recognition of their work fighting the pandemic. The award was
handed over to WMA President David Barbe and the WMA Secretary General in a virtual
ceremony. A recording of the ceremony can be viewed at

The WMA carried out a series of interviews with physicians from all over the world
highlighting specific country’s issues or topics around COVID-19. These interviews and other
resources gathered from WMA Members and partners are available on our
website: https://www.wma.net/news-post/covid19-resources/
In early July 2020, the WMA, represented by its Past-President Sir Michael Marmot, partnered
in the global launch of the Sustainable Health Equity Movement (SHEM). In February 2021 Sir
Michael was appointed to the SHEM Steering Committee upon the proposal of the World
Medical Association.
A series of webinars have been held by the WMA JDN, which are available on our YouTube
Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/worldmedassociation
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the WMA President and Chair have been present in press
interviews, talks and documentaries about the pandemic.
In reviewing the unfolding and persisting pandemic, the WMA critically noted a lack of
pandemic preparedness in most non-Asian countries, including:
• Non-adherence to existing guidelines and recommendations (WHO, ECDC, WMA),
• Insufficient supply chains for drugs and PPE,
• Inequalities, driven by and driving the pandemic,
• Unacceptable or non-existent triage strategies,
• Lack of protection for vulnerable groups, especially the elderly and nursing home residents
(denial of care)
• Nationalism inhibiting cross-border cooperation and support
The WMA contributes to the activities of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness
and Response established by the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General in
response to the World Health Assembly resolution 73.1, with a mission to provide an evidence-
based path for the future to ensure countries and global institutions, including WHO,
effectively address health threats. In December, the Secretariat shared with its members a
survey with a view to learn from health professionals’ understanding of what happened during
the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretariat is also involved in the organisation
of a series of focus group discussions planned by the Panel Secretariat in March, with a view to
hear experiences, reflections, and suggestions from frontline health professionals about the
impact of COVID-19 on their work and health.
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Following up on the decision of the 148th
WHO Executive Board to set up a process leading to
the adoption of a Resolution on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response next May, the
Delegation of the European Union invited the WMA to take part in an informal
consultation on 19 February with WHO Member States on a zero draft of the resolution. The
intention of the EU Delegation was to collect the views of all relevant stakeholders during this
process. The WMA submitted written comments on the zero draft resolution and Dr Kloiber
represented the WMA at the consultation meeting. (see also under 3.2.2)
The WMA submitted a statement on the update on the implementation of Resolution WHA73.1
on the COVID-19 response to the Executive Board Special Session (October 2020) and on the
COVID-19 response to the WHO Executive Board, 148th
session (January 2021).
The WMA has signed the WHO Vaccine Equity Declaration calling on all countries to work
together in solidarity to ensure that the vaccination of health workers and older people is
underway in all countries within the first 100 days of the year. This call on countries and
companies to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are being administered in every country by
World Health Day on 7 April 2021 stands as a symbol of hope for overcoming both the
pandemic and the inequalities that lie at the root of so many global health challenges. Dr David
Barbe issued a video message to mark this occasion.
2. Ethics
2.1 International Code of Medical Ethics (ICoME)
At its meeting in Riga in April 2018, the Council decided to establish a workgroup to
revise the International Code of Medical Ethics. The workgroup began by developing a
list of priority issues to be included in the policy. During the General Assembly in Tbilisi
2019, a first draft version of the revised ICoME policy was shared with delegates.
Together with the Kuwait Medical Association, the WMA organised a regional meeting
on the revision of the International Code of Medical Ethics from 6-7 February 2020. The
meeting was a tremendous success, with over 400 participants and a mixture of
presentations and discussions primarily focused on informed consent and patient
confidentiality. In addition, over the course of the two-day event, feedback was gathered
from attendees about overarching questions regarding the revision of the ICoME,
including the questions marked for further discussion in the current draft, such as
physicians’ duties toward animals and the environment, duties of the organisations of the
medical profession, etc. Small workgroups also discussed the draft paragraph by
paragraph.
Equally outstanding was the work of the Brazilian Medical Association and the Brazilian
Medical Council, which hosted the conference for the South American region in Sao
Paulo on 5-6 March. In cooperation with the Latin-American Doctors organization
CONFEMEL the conference brought together representatives from medical associations
from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Portugal and Spain.
Together with the Chairs of the Medical Ethics Committee, the working group on the
ICoME and the Secretary General, the conference engaged in in-depth discussion of
deontological issues ranging from the physician-patient relationship over conscientious
objection, e-health issues, to questions of obligatory reporting of cases of violence in
health care.
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Unfortunately, the regional meeting in Porto at the invitation of the Portuguese Medical
Association had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we would
like to thank the Portuguese Medical Association for the invitation.
Based on the feedback received during these regional meetings, along with the Associate
Members’ webinar focused on the ICoME in April 2020 and workgroup video
conferences in April and May 2020, the workgroup prepared a revised draft which was
submitted to the WMA Executive Committee for approval to be used as the basis for
discussion during the meeting of the International Association of Bioethics (IAB) in June
2020. The session was a success, drawing around 100 participants, and produced a lot of
thought-provoking feedback. Shortly after the IAB meeting, the many comments received
from IAB participants were discussed and considered for inclusion in the ICoME.
These and other comments from workgroup members were debated further in a full
workgroup video conference in early September, resulting in a new draft, which was
submitted to the Medical Ethics Committee (MEC) for information at the General
Assembly in October 2020.
In January, the working group held another video call and submitted a revised version to
the MEDC committee at the Council meeting in April along with a request for a public
consultation. The public consultation took place in May 2021. Over the course of three
subsequent meetings, the workgroup came to a consensus on most of the comments
received from the public consultation and produced a revised draft that was submitted to
the WMA Executive Committee with a request for permission to circulate it to all WMA
members for comments in advance of the October 2021 MEC and Council sessions.
Due to the volume of responses received on the conscientious objection paragraph, the
chair proposed holding a separate meeting to discuss this paragraph, which is still to take
place. In the meantime, the workgroup collated and analysed the comments and
suggestions that have been received and produced a revised working document that is
intended to be presented to Council in October 2021.
2.2 Monitoring the Use and Application of the Declaration of Helsinki
Under the new Strategic Plan 2020-2025 the Secretary General is asked to monitor
developments in clinical/medical research and to report back to the Council on
ramifications for the Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research
Involving Human Subjects as the global core policy on research ethics.
In various conferences, articles and public statements, different areas and existing
potential deficits of the DoH were discussed and new ones arose in the context of vaccine
testing during the COVID-19 epidemic. Some of the topics that point to the need for a
revision of the DoH are, for example,
• Patient driven research
• Undue patient pressure
• “Open Science” approaches
• Inclusiveness of research
• Prevention trials and the concept of “vulnerable” groups vs. “concerned” groups
• Real world data use for control groups
• Coherency between the Declaration of Helsinki and Taipei
• Adaptive trial designs
• Branched trial designs
• Dynamic consent
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• Challenge trials
• The persistency of ethical standards during pandemics
• The abuse of paragraph 37 on compassionate care
• Placebo use
• Different standards for emergency authorizations
• Consistency of language use in the Declaration of Helsinki and other key WMA
policies
To mention just some of the issues for which the Declaration of Helsinki should be
revisited.
3. Human Rights
3.1 Right to health
The WMA Secretariat follows the activities of the UN Special Rapporteur on the right of
everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental
health. Replacing Dr Dainius Puras, Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng (South Africa) was appointed
by the United Nations Human Rights Council at its forty-fourth session in July 2020. Dr
Mofokeng is a medical doctor with expertise advocating for universal health access, HIV
care, youth friendly services and family planning. WMA Secretary General Dr Kloiber
and Clarisse Delorme, senior policy advisor, had an online meeting with Dr Mofokeng in
November 2020 to learn about her priorities during her mandate and discuss possible
future collaboration with the WMA. Another meeting took place in January 2021 to
discuss mental health issues more specifically (See below under 2.3.2)
3.2 Protecting patients and doctors
3.2.1 Actions of support
Country/ topic Case
AZERBAIJAN
October 2020
Source:
Armenian Medical
Association
In October, the Secretariat received a request from the President of the
Armenian Medical Association Dr Armen Soghoyan to support his
demand to have Dr Hrant Papikyan released from a hostage situation,
most probably a prisoner of the Azerbaijan military. Dr Papikyan’s
ambulance (bearing the symbol of the medical cross) was attacked while
driving in the direction of the frontline to collect wounded and dead
people.
Secretary General Dr Kloiber sent a mail to Dr Nariman Safarli, President
of the Azerbaijan Medical Association, expressing his concerns that an
ambulance car had been attacked and asking for intervention in support of
Dr Papikyan’s release.
EGYPT
June 2021
Source:
Amnesty International
In June the WMA sent a letter to the Egyptian authorities further to the
decision of the Egyptian Court of Cassation to uphold the death sentence
for 12 political figures, including Dr Mohamed Elbeltagy, a well-known
physician, academic and professor at the Faculty of Medicine at Al-Azhar
University.
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ISRAEL
October 2020-July 2021
Sources:
Israeli Medical Association
Physicians for Human Rights
Israel
Lutheran World Federation
(LWF)
In October, the WMA wrote to the Israeli authorities regarding the case
of Mr Samer Arbeed, detained in Ramallah on 25 September, expressing
its serious concerns about his conditions of detention. Recalling the
WMA’s firm and long-standing position against all forms of torture as
well as cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, the WMA President and
Chair of Council emphasized that the requirement of medical staff in
interrogation centres to verify detainees’ conditions amounts to asking
them to participate in or enable acts of torture or other ill treatments, in
violation of the fundamental principle of medical ethics “Do no harm”.
In late October, the Secretariat received several complaints about the
treatment of Palestinians in Israel and their access to medical care. The
complaints were shared with the Israeli Medical Association (IMA).
Based on previous conversations with officials, the IMA informed us that
the situation is being handled appropriately, but that they have written
once again to the Chief Medical Officer of the Israeli Defense Forces, the
Coordinator of Activities in the Territories and the Ministry of Health for
their response.
Last July, Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) wrote to the WMA
expressing its concerns further to a decision by the Israeli MoH to amend
the informed consent form in medical research and post-trial access to
care, which could result in a violation of the Declaration of Helsinki. An
online meeting took place with WMA Secretary General, representatives
of PHRI and of the Israel Medical Association.
IRAN
September 2020-March 2021
Sources:
Amnesty International
In September, a first letter was sent to the Iranian authorities regarding
the sentencing of four men, held in Urumieh prison in West Azerbaijan
province, to “have four fingers on their right hands completely cut off so
that only the palm of their hands and their thumbs are left”, as per the
punishment stipulated for certain types of robbery under Iran’s Islamic
Penal Code. A press release was issued. In November, Amnesty
International alerted us that the amputation sentences could be carried out
imminently. We sent a second letter reiterating our firm opposition to this
ruling, which purposely inflicts extreme pain, irreversible disability and
obliterates human dignity, constituting a grave cruel, inhuman and
degrading punishment.
In November, a letter was sent denouncing the critical health condition of
Dr Ahmadreza Djalali, a specialist in emergency medicine, in detention
since April 2016 on charges of espionage (letters were already sent in
February 2017 and August 2019). A press release was issued. The WMA
sent another letter to the Iranian authorities in March, supporting the
United Nations Human rights experts’ call for the release of Dr Djalali
and demanding to put an end to torture. This was followed up by a press
release promoted through social media. The Secretariat shared the letter
with WMA members, asking for their actions. Several constituent
members took action accordingly.
MYANMAR
February 2021
Source:
Myanmar Medical
Association
In February, a press release was issued condemning the arrest and
harassment of doctors while treating patients in the Myanmar protests.
The WMA Council Resolution in support of Medical Personnel and
Citizens of Myanmar adopted last April was promoted on social media.
The Secretariat is closely following the situation in consultation with the
Myanmar Medical Association.
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Media
NICARAGUA
July-August 2021
Source:
Amnesty International
In July, the Americas regional office of Amnesty International contacted
us regarding repressive actions in Nicaragua against physicians and other
health professionals, denouncing – amongst other things – the
mismanagement of the Covid pandemic by the authorities. Dr Miguel
Jorge, WMA Past-President, had an online meeting with Amnesty and the
representative of a group of Nicaraguan physicians, and liaised with the
CONFEMEL. This was followed by a plea from the group of physicians
to the WMA to take action in favour of the Nicaraguan physicians,
emphasizing their compliance with ethical commitments and obligations
as physicians. A letter was sent to the President of Nicaragua on the 31
August and a press release issued.
SINGAPORE
November 2020
Source.
Individual physician
In November 2020, the Secretariat was alerted to cases of doctors in
hospitals in Singapore deliberately not recording or reporting certain
medical findings in order to perform tests and procedures for financial
gain and medical training purposes for foreign trainee doctors whilst
abusing elderly & vulnerable patients and citizens.
A mail was sent to the Singapore Medical Association recommending an
investigation be conducted into these violations of medical ethics
principles and offering WMA support.
SRI LANKA
November 2020
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch informed us of several cases of forced anal and
vaginal examinations and compulsory HIV tests by doctors and other
health professionals in Sri Lanka in the context of prosecutions for
consensual same-sex relations.
The Secretariat sent a mail to the Sri Lanka Medical Association recalling
the WMA Resolution on Prohibition of Forced Anal Examinations to
Substantiate Same-Sex Sexual Activity and recommending the
Association take all necessary measures to investigate and put an end to
these practices in line with WMA policy standards.
TURKEY
October 2020 – March 2021
Sources:
TMA,
Human Rights Foundation of
Turkey
The WMA Secretariat remains mobilized on the situation in Turkey.
In October, the TMA alerted us of the plan of the Turkish government to
dismantle the Turkish Medical Association (TMA) by the end of the year
in order “to protect patients and the profession from terrorists”.
Further to the adoption of a Resolution in support to the Turkish Medical
Association by the WMA General Assembly, a letter was sent to the
Turkish authorities in early November calling for the protection of the
Turkish Medical Association as a national independent association and as
the main representative body of all physicians in the country.
In November, we sent a joint letter with CPME in support of Dr Şeyhmus
Gökalp, a member of the High Disciplinary Committee and former
member of the Central Council of the TMA, who had been in detention
since 20 November and had been referred to the Diyarbakır 2nd
Criminal
Court of Peace for “strong suspicion of crime”. Dr Gökalp was released
after his first court hearing on 10 February.
Last January, another joint letter with CPME was sent to the Turkish
authorities regarding the trial of Dr Küni, a respected practicing physician
in Cizre, convicted in 2017 of “aiding and abetting” terrorist
organizations. In a Resolution in April 2017, the WMA Council
expressed serious concerns about this case due to the criminalizing of
medical professionals and medical practice.
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On 4 February, Dr David Barbe, WMA President, participated in a Panel
Discussion on clinical independence, professional autonomy and the
independence of medical associations, organized by the TMA.
From 11-14 March, the TMA organised an online symposium “First year
of Pandemic in Turkey: Nature, Humanity and our Future”. Dr David
Barbe and Dr Otmar Kloiber attended as speakers, and Dr Frank Ulrich
Montgomery attended in his role as President of the Standing Committee
of European Doctors (CPME).
3.2.2 Protection of health professionals in areas of armed conflict and other situations
of violence
“Health Care in Danger” (HCiD) initiative
The WMA Secretariat has a close working relationship with the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) headquarters within the context of the
“Health Care in Danger” (HCiD) initiative.
In coordination with the ICRC, the Secretariat circulated an invitation to WMA
members to the online Eurasia Regional Health Care in Danger Meeting (3-4
February 2021) and the 2nd
Near and Middle East (NAME) Regional Health Care
in Danger (HCiD) Meeting (29-30 September 2021). These regional meetings are
organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross and other regional
partners. They bring together health practitioners, researchers and academics,
policy makers and those working in the humanitarian sector, with the aim to share
experiences, develop and reinforce local, national and regional partnerships in
order to prevent and reduce the impact of violence against health care.
During the reporting period, the Secretariat attended the regular meetings of the
global HCiD Community of Concerns organized by the ICRC, which brings
together representatives of the WMA, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the
International Committee of Military Medicine (ICMM), the International Council
of Nurses (ICN), the International Hospital Federation (IHF), the Safeguarding
Health in Conflict Coalition, Médecins du Monde and the World Federation on
Medical Education (WFME). These meetings allowed for an exchange of updated
information between partners and the exploration of possible joint actions on
advocacy and the monitoring of violence.
On the occasion of the 5th
anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution
2286, WMA President David Barbe, delivered a statement at a High Level Side-
event on the Protection of Health Care on 26 of May, on the margins of the UN
Protection of Civilians week. The event was organized by the ICRC and the
Permanent Mission of Norway. The objective of the meeting was to translate
high-level political engagement on the protection of health care into concrete
action at national level to make progress towards its implementation. Dr Barbe
called for urgent action to uphold medical neutrality and for full accountability for
violations of that neutrality.
As a follow-up, the members of the global HCiD Community of Concerns met in
August to discuss strategies in terms of advocacy and/or operational work in the
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coming 5 years, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the implementation of the
resolution.
The WMA, together with the International Hospital Federation (IHF), the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Council of
Nurses (ICN), agreed to carry out a joint collaborative study to identify
measures on protection and prevention of violence implemented during the
pandemic year. A call for expressions of interest was sent to WMA constituent
members in January. A survey was sent out in June to the organisations’
members, having indicated their interest to take part in the study. An external
consultant was hired in September to analyse the data. The outcome and
conclusions of the study should be available in December/January.
Other activities related to violence against health care
Ongoing violence against health personnel was condemned by the WMA last
October in a statement related to WHO’s COVID-19 response delivered to the
Executive Board Special Session (October 2020). Likewise, the WMA submitted
a statement on health emergencies preparedness to the 73rd
World Health
Assembly, resumed session (November 2020) and on WHO’s global emergency
preparedness and response during the WHO Executive Board, 148th
session
(January 2021). Last May, the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA)
delivered a statement on the same topic on the occasion of the 74th
World Health
Assembly.
In its comments on the zero draft of the resolution by the Delegation of the
European Union on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response (see item 1
above), the WMA regretted the absence of recommendations on the personal
safety of health professionals and health workers during disasters and included
proposals to prevent and address violence.
3.3 Prevention of torture and ill-treatment
The WMA Secretariat follows relevant international activities in this area, in particular
those of the Human Rights Council.
3.3.1 Role of physicians in preventing torture and ill-treatment
In 2019-2020, the ICRC in partnership with the WMA and the Norwegian
Medical Association, undertook an update of the online course for physicians
working in prisons, especially in relation to human rights, medical ethics, mental
health, healthcare for women and accompanying children in detention and other
vulnerable groups. The updated courses are now available on the WMA website.
In February 2018, the WMA was invited to participate in a one-year project on the
development of a supplement to the Manual on Effective Investigation and
Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment, commonly called the Istanbul Protocol (IP). The
initiative is jointly headed by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), the
International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), the Human
Rights Foundation of Turkey, REDRESS, the UN Committee against Torture, the
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UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture, the UN Special Rapporteur on
Torture and the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. The purpose of the
project was to strengthen the IP with updates and clarifications based on practical
experience from users. Clarisse Delorme (Policy Advisor, WMA Secretariat) is
one of the drafters and a member of the working group on ethical codes.
The proposed revision (proposal for the 2020 edition of the Istanbul Protocol) was
finalised during the summer of 2019 and then submitted to the OHCHR1
. It is now
undergoing an internal review by OHCHR Publications Office staff. The
OHCHR’s subsequent process of proofreading and copyediting will take several
additional months. It is hoped that the English version of the IP will be available
next Autumn.
3.3.2 Psychiatric treatment – Mental health
Since 2017, the WMA Secretariat, with the support of Dr Miguel Jorge,
psychiatrist and WMA President, has been monitoring international activities
related to the promotion of mental health as a global priority and a fundamental
human right with the aim of providing the physicians’ perspective in the
discussion. The WMA is involved in particular in discussions within the Council
of Europe’s Committee on Bioethics (DH-BIO) concerning the protection of
human rights and dignity of persons with mental disorders with regard to
involuntary placement and involuntary treatment.
In August 2020, the WMA and the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) sent a
joint letter to Dr Dainius Puras, previous United Nations Special Rapporteur on
the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of
physical and mental health, in response to his report (A/HRC/44/48), submitted
to the 44th
session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (15 June – 3
July2020). In his report, Dr Puras developed recommendations for a rights-based
global agenda for advancing the right to mental health. Although sharing most of
the goals reflected in the report, the WMA and WPA expressed in the letter their
concerns that the report severely challenges the psychiatric profession and
regretted that health professionals were not consulted at any stage in the report
drafting process.
The two organisations forwarded their views to Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, the new
Special Rapporteur appointed by the 44th
Human Rights Council in July 2020
(see2.1above), and met with her on 15 January to discuss ways of bringing
forward their concerns. The WMA-WPA letter is now available on the OHCHR
website dedicated to mental health as a right of response.
In April 2021, the WMA and the WPA sent a joint letter inviting their members to
participate in the Council of Europe Compendium of good practices to promote
voluntary measures in the field of mental healthcare.
3.4 Health through peace
1
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
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Further to the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPN), the WMA, the
International Council of Nurses (ICN), the international Federation of Medical Students
(IFMSA) and the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) have been
collaborating on the need to promote the global health imperative to eliminate nuclear
weapons and to advocate for the ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear
Weapons.
On 21 January, the four organisations together with the International Committee of the
Red Cross organized a Global Health Webinar “Entry into force of the Treaty on the
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the Role of Health Professionals” with leading
health experts. The event featured WMA President, Dr David Barbe, as one of the
keynote speakers. At the end of the event, the partner organisations issued a joint
statement welcoming the Treaty entering into force. A press release was published.
A virtual forum entitled “Eliminating the Existential Threat of Nuclear Weapons”
organized by the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPN) and
supported by the WMA, ICN, IFMSA and WFPHA, took place on 30 September 2021.
This high-level meeting brought together the UN Under Secretary General of
Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, ICRC President Maurer and the Rotary President
Shekhar Mehta, to discuss the growing danger of nuclear war and strategies to eliminate
these weapons.
3.5 Sexual orientation and gender identity
In August, Clarisse Delorme, Senior Policy Advisor, participated in a breakout session
on so-called conversion therapy, in the margins of WorldPride 2021. The event,
organized by the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT),
brought together key actors working against so-called conversion therapy to discuss how
the health-based knowledge and expertise on how so-called conversion therapy
constitutes torture can further contribute towards a global ban on so-called conversion
therapy. WMA’s participation was an opportunity to highlight its policy in this area.
In July 2021, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) contacted the Secretariat recommending that the WMA consider an amicus
brief submission as a third party in connection with the case Semenya v Switzerland
at the European Court of Human Rights, given its position in April 2019, raising
strong concerns on the ethical validity of the World Athletics Federation’s regulation.
The Global Health Justice Partnership (GHJP) of the Yale Law School and School of
Public Health offered its support and cooperation as a partner in this submission. Given
the GHJP expertise grounded in both health and law, the WMA agreed to make a joint
submission with the understanding that it would be focused on the very specific questions
of medical ethics and the ways in which the regulations in design and implementation set
up unethical practice for physicians. In late August, the Court granted leave for the two
organisations to make written submissions to the Court by 12 October.
See also above under 3.2.1 regarding cases of forced anal and vaginal examinations and
compulsory HIV tests by physicians and other health professionals in Sri Lanka in the
context of prosecutions for consensual same-sex relations.
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4. Public Health
4.1 Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
4.1.1 General
In response to the first UN Political Declaration on Prevention and Control of
Non-communicable Diseases from 2011, the WHO also established the Global
Monitoring Framework as a Global Coordination Mechanism (GCM) on the
Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases. The scope and purpose
of the coordination mechanism is to facilitate and enhance the coordination of
activities, multi-stakeholder engagement and action across sectors at local,
national, regional and global levels. The WMA is an official member of this
coordination mechanism, which was launched in March 2015.
The World Health Organization and the GCM organized a four-day Global
Meeting to accelerate progress on SDG target 3.4 of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development (to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable
diseases (NCDs) by one third through prevention and treatment and the promotion
of mental health and well-being). The Meeting was hosted by the Government of
the Sultanate of Oman from 9 – 12 December 2019 in Muscat, Oman. The WMA
was represented by Dr Miguel Roberto Jorge in the High-level Segment, and Dr
Julia Tainijoki participated in panel discussions on health care system
strengthening and the role of health professionals. In February 2021, a follow up
meeting was organised by WHO to report back on achievements and lessons
learned, especially under the lens of COVID-19, and Dr Julia Tainijoki presented
the difficult situation of physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic and the
disruption of health care and prevention services, especially for patients with
NCDs.
WMA participated at the WHO strategic round table: Building an NCD-ready
workforce. Mortality and morbidity from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)
constitutes one of the major challenges for development in the 21st
century, with
82% of premature deaths from NCDs occurring in low- and middle-income
countries (LMIC). People living with NCDs have a lifelong reliance on health
systems to deliver a continuum of appropriate, affordable and high-quality
services for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of NCDs. WHO has
committed to strengthen and orient health systems to address NCDs through
people-centred primary health care towards achieving universal health coverage
(UHC). Health workers are at the centre of service delivery, and countries are
faced with critical decisions on how to “shape” their health teams to be fit-for-
purpose, ensuring they have the required competencies, supervision, resources and
motivation to deliver care to quality standards.
The growing burden of NCDs and population ageing is estimated to generate
demand for an additional 40 million health workers by 2030, primarily in high-
income countries. Conversely, a projected shortfall of 18 million health workers is
estimated by 2030, mostly in LMICs.
The objective of the meeting was to draft a roadmap delineating a strategic
approach to build an “NCD-ready workforce” to support the NCD implementation
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roadmap to be discussed by member states at the WHO Executive Board meeting
in 2022.
4.1.2 Tobacco
The WMA is involved in the implementation process of the WHO Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The FCTC is an international treaty
that condemns tobacco as an addictive substance, imposes bans on advertising and
promotion of tobacco, and reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard
of health.
Established by the eighth session of the Conference of the Parties, the WHO
FCTC secretariat started a new working group on Article 13 (Tobacco advertising,
promotion and sponsorship: depiction of tobacco in entertainment media) and
appointed the WMA as a member. The working group has now submitted a draft
version of the guidelines for approval to the next COP in November 2021.
4.1.3 Alcohol
The Secretariat maintains regular contact with the WHO staff in charge of this
topic, as well as with the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA).
In the context of the collaboration plan between WHO and WMA for the period
2019-2021, the WMA collaborates with WHO and other relevant partners on the
promotion of the WHO SAFER initiative (a safer world free from alcohol related
harms), in particular by fostering the role of health professionals in reducing
health risks linked to the consumption of alcohol.
In November 2020, WHO launched a web based consultation on a working
document for the development of an action plan (2022-2030) to effectively
implement the WHO Global Strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.
The Secretariat consulted with GAPA and submitted comments on the basis of its
Declaration on Alcohol (October 2017) and shared the WHO call for submission
with its members. The WMA contribution is posted on the relevant WHO
consultation webpage.
Further to this public consultation, WHO developed a first draft action plan
(2022-2030) to effectively implement the Global strategy to reduce the harmful
use of alcohol, which was presented during the 3rd
WHO Forum on Alcohol,
Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (FADAB) on 22-25 June. The WMA delivered a
statement reiterating its concerns that stronger and more tangible commitments
and actions are required, in particular on the role of health professionals as
recognized partners in tackling alcohol addiction and on the key necessity to
protect public health interests from commercial interference.
4.2 Communicable diseases
4.2.1 Immunisation
The World Medical Association (WMA), the German Medical Association
(GMA), the Pontifical Academy for Life (PAL) and the Pontifical Academy of
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Sciences (PAS) planned to hold an International Symposium on Vaccination on 4-
5 May 2020 in Vatican City. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this
conference was organized as a virtual / hybrid meeting on 1 July 2021.
The current pandemic has amplified some of the challenges already associated
with vaccination – from the hurdles that impede equitable global distribution of
vaccine doses to unfounded vaccine scepticism and mistrust. The symposium
addressed these issues and sent a clear message to the world about the necessity
and life-saving potential of vaccines.
The WHO is revising its immunisation strategy, developing a vision and strategy
for immunization from 2021-2030, Immunization Agenda 2030 – A Global
Strategy To Leave No One Behind. The WMA is actively involved in the revision
process.
4.3 Health and populations exposed to discrimination
4.3.1 Women and health
No specific activities undertaken during the reporting period.
4.3.2 Refugees, migrants & access to health
No specific activities undertaken during the reporting period.
4.4 Social determinants of health (SDH) and universal health coverage (UHC)
One of the most important global health topics at the moment is how countries can offer
universal health coverage to all, especially in marginalised societies, and protect people
from financial hardship. The UN General Assembly held the first ever High-Level
Meeting on Universal Health Coverage in New York in September 2019.
A second High Level Meeting (HLM) on Universal Health Coverage will take place in
July 2023. The preparations for this conference have started already and the WMA is
engaged in this process. The two co-facilitators at the UN level are Japan and Guyana. A
High-Level Political Forum will be held from 6 to 15 July 2021 prior to the HLM under
the Economic and Social Council, including a three-day ministerial segment from 13 to
15 July 2021. The theme this year will include SDG 3 and be “Sustainable and resilient
recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and
environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and
effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of
action and delivery for sustainable development”.
The WMA joined the UHC2030 network in 2019. UHC2030 is a multi-stakeholder
platform to promote collaborative working in countries and globally on health systems
strengthening. Members advocate for increased political commitment to UHC and
facilitate accountability and knowledge sharing.
The WMA has been appointed as an Advisory Group Member for the Civil Society
Engagement Mechanism for the UHC2030 network. The Civil Society Engagement
Mechanism for UHC2030 (CSEM) is the civil society constituent of the International
Health Partnership for UHC2030 (UHC2030). The CSEM raises civil society voices in
UHC2030 to ensure that Universal Health Coverage policies are inclusive and equitable,
August 2021 GA 2021/Council Report/Oct2021
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and that systematic attention is given to the most marginalized and vulnerable
populations so that no one is left behind.
In the lead up to the United Nations High-Level Meeting (HLM) on UHC in 2023, the
WMA, as a member of the UHC2030 network, has developed a Health for All Advocacy
Toolkit, a new, interactive tool for civil society advocates interested in kick-starting
advocacy for universal health coverage (UHC). It includes key information and tools to
make the case for UHC and hold policymakers to account on their commitments. The
web tool aims to build capacity, inspire and mobilize civil society in support of the global
movement for UHC. The Toolkit will be officially launched in September 2021 in
English, French, and Spanish. A downloadable PDF will also be made available later this
year.
The WMA submitted a statement to the WHO Executive Board, 148th
session (January
2021) on Social Determinants of Health, emphasizing the need for a multisectoral
approach to policy decisions for all areas affecting health, including the environment,
housing, transport and education, but also agriculture, trade and taxation.
See also Chapter I.1 on our participation in the Sustainable Health Equity Movement
(SHEM).
4.5 Health and the environment
4.5.1 Climate change
The WMA is a member of the WHO-Civil Society Working Group to Advance
Action on Climate Change and Health set up in May 2019. The Working Group
aims to foster a strong and sustained health voice, informing decision-making on
climate change nationally and internationally, and driving urgent action on
climate change. The proposed strategic partnership is well in line with the agreed
collaboration plan between WHO and WMA for the period 2019-20212
. Dr Lujain
Al-Qodmani (Kuwait Medical Association), Co-Chair of the Environment
Caucus, represents the WMA in the Working Group.
In October 2020, the WMA partnered with the Global Climate and Health
Alliance and George Mason University’s Center for Climate Change
Communication, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, to carry
out a global survey of the members of ~20 health professional associations from
countries in the 6 WHO regions around the world to assess their attitudes further
to the Covid-19 Healthy Recovery Initiative, and about climate change and its
impacts on health. Several WMA constituent members from the six regions, as
well as Associate Members, participated in the survey. The results of the survey
were published in the Lancet, Planetary health : Views of health professionals on
climate change and health: a multinational survey study (April 2021).
2
Other partners of the WG include: International Council of Nurses, International Federation of Medical Students’
Associations, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Health Care Without Harm, Health and
Environment Alliance.
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UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), Glasgow, 1-12 November 2021 –
Since 2010, the WMA has been following the COP summits, and sends a
delegation to monitor the negotiations and, together with our health partners,
advocates for a stronger health component. The WMA is one of the signatories of
the healthy climate prescription, a COP26 Health Professionals Sign-On letter,
released on 6 September with the aim to build pressure on governments, and their
representatives to COP26, for urgent and far-reaching action on the climate crisis.
A call to sign the letter was sent to WMA members and partners. On the same
day, a concurrent medical journal editorial was published simultaneously in 230
journals around the world.
The WMA will co-sponsor a side-event at the COP26 initiated by civil society
organizations including Action for Global Health and the UK NHS to advocate
for health system resilience, with a panel discussion bringing together experts
with lived experience of the impacts of climate change on health.
4.5.2 Air pollution
The advocacy work of the Secretariat on air pollution is mainly incorporated in its
activities related to climate change.
During its last meetings, participants of the WMA Environment Caucus discussed
the need to review the WMA policy on air pollution. The Caucus plans to
examine a proposed revision of the Statement.
4.5.3 Chemical safety
The WMA is a member of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals
Management (SAICM) of the Chemicals Branch of the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) and is involved in the implementation of the
World Health Assembly Resolution on the Role of the Health Sector in the
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management towards the
2020 goal and beyond. The Secretariat regularly shares with its members
information related to the WHO Chemicals Roadmap, in particular related to
actions in which the health sector has a supporting role to play.
Dr Peter Orris, Co-Chair of the WMA Environment Caucus, continues to monitor
the global negotiations related to the implementation of the Minamata Mercury
Convention and will attend the Fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to
the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-4, online, 1-5 November 2021).
The WMA sees the reduction of environmental contamination with mercury as a
critical public health issue and the removal of mercury from health care as an
unfinished agenda.
4.5.4 WMA Green news
The WMA is partnered with the Florida Medical Association (FMA) on a joint
project “My Green Doctor”. This project is a medical office environmental
management service offered free of charge to members of the World Medical
Association (WMA) and the Florida Medical Association (FMA). The initial
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version of My Green Doctor was launched by the FMA on World Earth Day
2010. In June 2014, the WMA and FMA agreed to work together on this project.
My Green Doctor provides a free practice management tool designed by doctors
to make medical offices more environmentally friendly. The My Green Doctor
website is available in the “What we do – Education” section of the WMA
website. Calls to action are often published on the WMA social media pages.
4.6 Health implications of the use of genetic resources
The Secretariat attended the WHO informal consultation on the health implications of the
implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on 13 November.
During the WHO Executive Board’s 148th
session (January 2021) and the 74th
World
Health Assembly (May 2021), the WMA delivered a statement on the public health
implications of the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. The WMA expressed its
concerns that WHO’s action is limited to infectious diseases and does not encompass the
broad scope of genetic resources’ (GRs) use in health. Given the critical impact of GRs
on human health through their growing role in several economic sectors, their use related
to the Nagoya Protocol should be closely monitored by WHO in order to guarantee a fair
and equitable sharing of the benefits. The WMA also conveyed its concerns about the use
of intellectual property associated with GRs, calling for the determination of clear and
strict criteria that identify authentic innovations associated with GRs in order to prevent
granting erroneous patents for the sake of commercial benefit to the detriment of public
health.
5. Health Systems
5.1 Primary health care
In March 2021, Dr Osahon Enabulele participated on behalf of the WMA in an Expert
Roundtable – Delivering prevention in an ageing world: Democratising access to
prevention hosted by the International Longevity Centre UK. Again, we observed the
presence of ideas to replace classic physician roles by other cadres. Dr Enabulele
explained our understanding, especially of primary care as a team-based approach, and
the need for Universal Health Coverage encompassing prevention as an essential part.
5.2 Patient safety
The WMA is a member of the high-level World Patient Safety Day 2021 Steering
Committee to provide advice and strategic guidance to WHO to ensure successful
implementation of the Day. Considering the huge burden of avoidable risks and harm
during childbirth and the major impact of COVID-19 on maternal and neonatal health,
‘Maternal and Newborn Safety’ has been selected as the theme for this year’s WPSD on
17 September 2021.
In 2021 the World Health Assembly adopted the “Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–
2030”. The global action plan provides strategic direction and a list of suggested actions
for all stakeholders for eliminating avoidable harm in health care and improvingpatient
safety in different practice domains through policy actions, as well as for implementation
of recommendations at the point of care. In August, the WMA
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participated in the expert meeting on the implementation of the global plan and discussed
the prioritisation of actions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
5.3 Antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing concern and an important challenge to
public health. It has various aspects and different actors contribute to the problem.
The WMA was invited to contribute expertise to the
• Global AMR R&D Hub’s Expert Advisory Group (EAG)
and the
• WHO Antimicrobial Stewardship Meeting in Thailand this spring, which was
cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Caline Matar was nominated by the WMA for both and has been accepted as a
member.
The WMA delivered an intervention on Anti-Microbial Resistance at the WHO
Executive Board session in January 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted
several issues relevant to AMR: Due to the challenge of finding treatments for COVID-
19 patients, antimicrobials were used as direct treatment, even when evidence already
showed that they do not offer any benefit. Further antimicrobials were prescribed for
possible co-infections, although evidence suggests that bacterial and fungal co-infections
are low. Both patterns increased prescribing rates and the use of broad-spectrum
antimicrobial agents. Additional research highlighted a high transmission of multi-drug
resistant organisms due to hospitalised COVID-19 patients, and the disruption of health
care caused by COVID-19 reduced testing and surveillance of infections. The focus on
COVID -19 shifted funding away from AMR. It is crucial to continue to step up the
political and financial commitments to AMR.
5.4 Health workforce
The WMA is a member of the WHO Guidelines Development Group to revise the Rural
Health Workers’ Attraction, Recruitment and Retention Guidelines. These guidelines
were developed 10 years ago and have now been revised based on new literature,
evidence and experience. The new guidelines propose seventeen evidence-based
recommendations on how to improve the recruitment and retention of health workers in
underserved areas. The Guidelines present a pathway for reversing both the current and
predicted worsening shortage of health professionals in rural and remote areas through:
• Protecting the existing rural health workforce which will aid their retention.
• Investing in the development and training of multidisciplinary fit-for-purpose
health teams, attraction and recruitment of health workers.
Interventions cover the areas of education, regulation, incentives, personal and
professional support.
The WMA has been very active in highlighting the difficult situation of health
professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and advocating for improvements. Health
professionals have faced difficulties, such as lack of personal protection measures, a high
August 2021 GA 2021/Council Report/Oct2021
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burden of work, discrimination and violence. For all the activities in which the WMA
was involved, please see section 1 of this report on COVID-19.
The WHO has requested the cooperation of the World Health Professions Alliance
through the International Council of Nurses and the World Medical Association to assist
them in studying the health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health workforce.
Together with our partner organizations, we are preparing to survey our members on this
issue.
WHO designated 2021 as the International Year of Health and Care Workers (YHCW).
In March 2021, the WHO set up a steering committee, with the first meeting taking place
on 24 March. The steering committee’s role is to contribute to the work associated with
the Year of Health and Care Workers, in particular to facilitate equal and prioritize access
for health personnel to COVID-19 immunization in the first 100 days of 2021. Another
focus of the YHCW is to mobilize commitments by Member States, international
financing institutions, bilateral and philanthropic partners to protect and invest in health
and human resources for health to accelerate the attainment of the SDGs and COVID-19
recovery.
In line with this special year, WHO is organizing the next Global Forum of the Health
Workforce as a virtual meeting in November 2021.
6. Health Policy & Education
6.1 Medical and health policy development and education
In January 2020, the World Medical & Health Policy journal, in collaboration with the
WMA, issued a call for papers on “Climate Change and Health” with the goal of
bringing attention and contributing understanding to improve policy related to climate
change and health around the world. The project was delayed due to the COVID-19
pandemic. Selected articles will be published soon.
6.2 Support for national constituent members
See item 2.2.1
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CHAPTER II PARTNERSHIP & COLLABORATION
During the reporting period, the WMA Secretariat held bilateral meetings with the WHO and staff
of other UN agencies on various areas and voiced the WMA’s opinion and concerns in public
settings as follows3
:
1. World Health Organization (WHO)
Executive Board Special Session (October 2020) – held virtually
The WMA submitted a written statement on the update on the implementation of Resolution
WHA73.1 on the COVID-19 response. For more information (agenda, working documents and
resolutions) see the dedicated official WHO website.
73rd
World Health Assembly, resumed session (November 2020) – held virtually
The WMA made public statements on a series of issues. For more information (agenda, working
documents and resolutions) see the dedicated official WHO website.
WHO Executive Board, 148th session (January 2021) – held virtually
The WMA made public statements on a series of issues. For more information (agenda, working
documents and resolutions) see the dedicated official WHO website.
74th
World Health Assembly (May 2021) – held virtually
The WMA made public statements on a series of issues. For more information (agenda, working
documents and resolutions) see the dedicated official WHO website.
Other WHO virtual meetings attended:
– WMA participated in the WHO virtual event on the implementation of the WHO Global
Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030
– WHO informal consultation on the health implications of the implementation of the Nagoya
Protocol (13 November)
– WHO Social Determinants of Health Webinar: “COVID-19, social determinants and
violence” (2 December)
– INSPIRE: Seven strategies for ending violence against children – training (19 February).
– WHO-UNICEF Global Transmission Discussion on SARS-CoV-2 in children and
adolescents (26 January)
– WMA participation as a member of the Steering Committee for the organization of World
Patient Safety Day 2021.
– WMA delivered a statement at the Third WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive
Behaviours (virtual), 22-25 June 2021 (see above under 4.1.3)
General Meeting of the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on Noncommunicable
Diseases as a follow up event to the conference in December 2019 in Muscat, Oman – held
virtually.
3
More information on the activities mentioned is set out under the relevant section of the report.
August 2021 GA 2021/Council Report/Oct2021
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WMA is a member of the WHO Guidelines Development Group to revise the Rural Health
Workers’ Attraction, Recruitment and Retention Guidelines and took part in several meetings.
2. UNESCO Conference on Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health Law
In recent years, the WMA has supported the “UNESCO Chair in Bioethics World Conference
on Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health Law” organised by the UNESCO Bioethics Chair,
Prof. Dr Amnon Carmi. The conference serves as a platform to discuss WMA’s current policy
with physicians, ethicists and other scientists.
The growing international network of academic ethics and law departments, which has been
gathering for the past two decades under the title UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, is now being
reorganised as the International Chair in Bioethics – ICB. Following the Secretariat’s
proposal, the WMA Council agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the ICB to
continue cooperation with this network and to award it the status of a “WMA Cooperation
Centre”.
The 14th World Conference on Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health Law scheduled from 11-
14 May 2020 in Porto, Portugal, was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak and has been
postponed until 7-10 March 2022 (see https://bioethics-porto2022.com/). In the meantime, the
University of Porto staged a Global Conference on Bioethics and the Coronavirus Pandemic
from 10-11 March. WMA President, Dr David Barbe, and the WMA Secretary General
participated as invited speakers.
3. Other UN agencies
AGENCY ACTIVITIES
Human Rights Council of the United
Nations, in particular:
• Meetings with Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng,
newly appointed SR, on 10 November and
on 15 January together with the World
Psychiatric Association.
• Monitoring the SR’s activities
UN Special Rapporteur (SR) on the right of
everyone to the enjoyment of the highest
attainable standard of physical and mental
health (Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng)
Special Rapporteur on torture and other
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment (Dr Nils Melzer)
• Monitoring the SR’s activities
Special rapporteur on sexual orientation and
gender identity (Victor Madrigal-Borloz)
• Monitoring the follow-up to the
consultation on data collection on sexual
orientation and gender identity
UNAIDS Regular exchange of information
OECD Regular exchange of information
International Organisation for Migration
(IOM)
Regular exchange of information.
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The development of a Memorandum of
Understanding is being considered.
4. World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA)
The WHPA launched the revision of its long-standing Positive Practice Environment Campaign
(PPE) in October 2020. A positive practice environment is a health care setting that supports
excellence and decent working conditions, has the power to attract and retain staff, provide
quality care, and deliver cost-effective, people-centred health care services. Health care settings
can be turned into positive practice environments by assessing the quality of practice
environments; identifying any deficiencies and developing strategies to address priority gaps.
The COVID-19 pandemic, with the stress that it has put on health systems globally and the
increased need for productive, supported health professionals and other health care workers,
has showcased the importance of standing up for Positive Practice Environments.
The WHPA is currently looking into the global situation regarding the recognition of health
damages and death from SARS-CoV-2 as an occupational disease in health professionals.
Initial surveys have revealed a very disparate pattern of recognition and protection.
In line with its PPE campaign, the WHPA organized a series of webinars:
1. COVID-19 – An occupational disease?
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to put a strain on health professionals and other
healthcare workers and ongoing funding and further recognition and assistance is
required to ensure the workforce is supported. COVID-19 should be recognized as an
occupational disease which can lead to reporting on deaths and infections, better risk
assessment, standards set and compensation for those who die or are affected by
COVID-19. A panel of experts from the field discussed the challenges faced by health
professionals and the importance of providing positive practice environments to
safeguard the health and well-being of workers. A recording is available here.
2. Safeguarding Health Professionals’ Mental Health, 23 September 2021
Like most people, health professionals experience illness and have family obligations
and other commitments outside their professional lives that can affect their mental
health. Unlike most people, however, health professionals are also exposed to a
particular mix of occupational pressures that can pose additional risks to their mental
well-being. Rates of poor mental health in health professionals appear to be increasing
in response to rising demands, staffing shortages and diminishing resources. In addition,
mental health stresses have been rising during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this
webinar, the World Health Professions Alliance brought together a range of experts in
mental health and the workforce to better understand what the issues are and how we
can all work together to support our workforce and look after ourselves.
5. WMA Cooperating Centers
The WMA is proud to enjoy the support of academic cooperating centres. The WMA
Cooperating Centers bring specific scientific expertise to our projects and/or policy work,
improving our professional profile and outreach.
WMA Cooperating Centre Areas of cooperation
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26
Institute of Ethics and History of
Medicine, University of Tübingen,
Germany
Revising the Declaration of Geneva, medical
ethics
Institut de droit de la santé, Université
de Neuchâtel, Switzerland
International health law, developing and
promoting the Declaration of Taipei, medical
ethics, deontology, sports medicine
Steve Biko Center for Bioethics,
University of Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg, South Africa
Revising the Declaration of Helsinki, medical
ethics, bioethics
Institute for Environmental Research,
Yonsei University College of Medicine,
South Korea
Environmental health, climate change and health
issues
International Chair in Bioethics Collaboration at the International Conference on
Bioethics and the ICB Department of Education
online activities
6. World Continuing Education Alliance (WCEA)
The World Medical Association has signed an agreement with the WCEA to provide an online
education portal that will not only enable the WMA to host its online education, but also offers
an opportunity for member associations to develop their own portals and online content. This
offer is directed specifically at medical associations and societies that wish to engage in
providing online education. Interested groups, medical schools or academies are invited to
contact wma@weca.education or visit www.wcea.education for more information. The
educational platform was launched in June 2018. In September 2019, the WMA launched
courses for non-members as well. These courses are available at https://www.wma.net/what-
we-do/education/wcea-cme-courses/.
7. Other partnerships or collaborations with health and human rights organizations
Organisation Activity
Amnesty International Exchange of information and support on human rights issues
related to health during the reporting period.
Human Rights Watch Regular contact on issues of common interest, in particular
on sexual orientation and gender identity during the reporting
period.
Global Alliance on Alcohol
Policy (GAPA)
Regular exchange of information, in particular in the context
of the WHO consultation to develop the global alcohol action
plan (December 2020-June 2021).
International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC)
Partners on the Health Care in Danger (HCiD) project since
September 2011.
Memorandum of Understanding between the ICRC and the
WMA signed in November 2016.
International Council of
Military Medicine (ICMM)
A Memorandum of Understanding between the ICMM and
the WMA was signed at the WMA General Assembly in
October 2017 (Chicago).
Council for International
Organizations of Medical
Sciences (CIOMS)
Development of guidance for the scientific community on
medicine and health care in general. The WMA is a member
and currently represented on the Executive Board and
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participates in various work groups on matters of research in
resource poor settings, patient information and healthy
research subjects.
International Federation of
Medical Students
Associations (IFMSA)
Internship program since 2013.
Regular collaboration, mostly in relation to WHO statutory
meetings.
Participation of WMA officers and officials in the pre-World
Health Assembly IFMSA conference in Geneva.
International Federation of
Associations of
Pharmaceutical Physicians
(IFAPP)
Cooperation on issues of human experimentation and
pharmaceutical development, the role of physicians in that
process. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the
WMA General Assembly, October 2017 (Chicago).
Together with the WMA, IFAPP is exploring the possibility
of a course on medicines’ development for physicians in
clinical research, ethics committees or regulation.
Global Health Justice
Partnership of the Yale
Law School and School of
Public health (GHJP)
Joint submission as third party in connection with the case
Semenya v Switzerland at the European Court of Human
Rights (see under 3.5)
University of Pennsylvania
International Internship
Program
Annual internship program on health policy, public health,
human rights, project management. 2-3 students usually
come as interns to our office for the summer. The programme
has been running since 2014.
International
Rehabilitation Council for
Torture Victims (IRCT)
Regular exchange of information and joint actions on
specific cases or situations.
During the reporting period, the WMA participated in a
breakout session organised by the IRCT on so-called
conversion therapy (see item 3.5)
Global Climate & Health
Alliance (GCHA)
Regular exchange of information and ad hoc collaboration
within the context of the UN climate change negotiations and
the COVID-19 pandemic response.
New Jersey Medical School
Global TB Institute
The WMA is working with the New Jersey Medical School
Global TB Institute and the University Research Company
(URC) to update its online TB refresher course for physicians
with the support of the US Agency for International
Development (USAID).
World Veterinary
Association
Co-organisation of the Global Conference on One Health in
2015 (Madrid) and 2016 (Japan). Common advocacy on
matters like AMR, zoonotic diseases and food safety.
Physicians for Human
Rights (PHR)
Regular exchange of information and joint actions on attacks
against health personnel in the COVID-19 pandemic context
International Physicians for
the Prevention of Nuclear
War (IPPNW)
Exchange of information and joint actions, in particular
organisation of a joint global health webinar on the occasion
of the entry into force of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of
Nuclear Weapons.
Association for the
Prevention of Torture
Exchange of information on the implementation of the
Convention against Torture with regard to the role of
physicians in preventing torture and ill treatment.
Safeguarding Health in
Conflict Coalition
Observer status in the coalition.
Regular exchange of information.
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28
World Coalition Against
The Death Penalty
Regular exchange of information, in particular regarding
individual cases requiring international support.
Medical Human Rights
Network (IFHHRO)
Regular exchange of information on human rights and health
matters.
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29
CHAPTER III COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH
1. WMA Newsletter
In April 2012, the WMA Secretariat started a bi-monthly e-newsletter for its members. The
Secretariat appreciates any comments and suggestions for developing this service and making it
as useful for members as possible. It is currently being sent to over 1.600 recipients. Since
August 2021, the Newsletter is being sent through a new mailing system, compliant with the
GDPR regulations.
2. WMA social media (Twitter and Facebook)
In 2013, the WMA launched its official Facebook and Twitter accounts (@medwma). Since
2018, the WMA also communicates via LinkedIn. The Secretariat encourages members to
spread the word within their associations that they can follow the WMA’s activities on social
media. Besides communicating WMA activities and policies, the accounts have proved a
powerful tool for supporting WMA Constituent Members in difficult political and social
contexts.
3. The World Medical Journal
The World Medical Journal (WMJ) is issued every 3 months and includes articles on WMA
activities and feature articles by members and partners. The 60th
anniversary edition was
published as a final printed copy in 2014. It transferred to an electronic format in 2015, which
is available on the WMA website. The Journal is edited by Dr Peteris Apinis and Prof. Elmar
Doppelfeld and managed by Ms Maira Sudraba of the Latvian Medical Association. The
editorial team has recently been supplemented by Dr Helena Chapman, who has been the JDN
Publications Director for the past few years.
4. WMA Annual Report
The WMA has started issuing an Annual Report. So far reports have been issued for the years
2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The report highlights the main activities of the WMA, focusing on
the report of the President and events organised around topics such as Health, Environment,
NCDs, Influenza, Human Rights, but also on the categories of WMA Membership and the
Financial Report. It is available on the WMA website and a very limited number of copies are
distributed at the WMA Council and General Assembly.
5. Secondments / internships
We have been running an internship programme with the IFMSA since 2013. This year it was
conducted remotely with two interns from Lithuania and Canada, and another joining the team
later this year. Our internship programme with the University of Pennsylvania, which has been
running with 2-3 interns per year since 2014, continued remotely in 2021 with two interns over
the summer.
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30
CHAPTER IV OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
1. Advocacy
Given the new WMA Strategic Plan 2020-2025, adopted in Tbilisi in October 2019, to refocus
the activities of the WMA, including by redeploying outreach and advocacy work, the Chair of
the Council reflected on the renewal of the workplan and the task of the current Advocacy and
Communications Advisory Panel, suggesting a proactive model of participation in the
advocacy and communication work of the WMA.
The Advocacy and Communications Panel has been restructured into a workgroup that is tasked
with setting up mechanisms and actions to support the advocacy work of the WMA and to
increase attention on WMA policy.
CHAPTER V AKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Secretariat wishes to record its appreciation of member associations and individual members
for their interest in, and cooperation with, the World Medical Association and its Council during the
past year. We thank all those who have represented the WMA at various meetings and gratefully
acknowledge the collaboration and guidance received from the officers, as well as the Association’s
editors, its legal, public relations and financial advisors, staff of constituent members, council
advisors, associate members, friends of the association, cooperating centres, partner organizations
and officials.
We wish to mention the excellent working relationships we have with colleagues and experts in
international, regional and national organizations, be they (inter-)governmental or private. We
highly appreciate their willingness and efforts to enable our cooperation.
♣♣♣
29.09.2021