WMA Activity Report April 2024

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WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Activity Report to the
226th WMA Council Session
(November 2023 – March 2024)
February 2024 Council 226/Activity Report/Apr2024
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ACTIVITY REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I ETHICS, ADVOCACY & REPRESENTATION
1. Ethics
1.1 Revision of the Declaration of Helsinki
1.2 Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration
2. Human Rights
2.1 Right to health
2.2 Protecting patients and doctors
2.3 Violence against healthcare in areas of armed conflict and other situations of violence
2.4 Prevention of torture and ill-treatment
2.5 Health through peace
2.6 Sexual orientation and gender identity
3. Public Health
3.1 Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
3.2 Communicable diseases
3.3 Health and populations exposed to discrimination
3.4 Social determinants of health (SDH) and universal health coverage (UHC)
3.5 Health and the environment
3.6 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Medical Technologies
4. Health Systems
4.1 Patient safety
4.2 Antimicrobial resistance & One Health
4.3 Health emergencies
4.4 Health workforce
5. Health Policy & Education
5.1 Medical and health policy development and education
5.2 Support for national constituent members
CHAPTER II PARTNERSHIP & COLLABORATION
6. World Health Organization (WHO)
7. Other UN agencies
8. Intergovernmental cooperation: World Government Summit, Dubai, UAE, 11-14
February 2024
9. World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA)
10. Medical support for Ukraine
11. WMA Cooperating Centres
12. World Federation for Medical Education
13. Vienna Congress 28-29 january 2024
14. World Continuing Education Alliance (WCEA)
15. Other partnerships or collaborations with health and human rights organizations
CHAPTER III COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH
16. WMA Newsletter
17. WMA social media (Twitter and Facebook)
18. World Medical Journal
19. WMA Annual Report
20. Press Officer Role
21. Secondments/internships
22. WMA Glossary
CHAPTER IV OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
23. STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2030
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CHAPTER V ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
CHAPTER I ETHICS, ADVOCACY & REPRESENTATION
1. ETHICS
1.1 Revision of the Declaration of Helsinki
The 220th
Council (Paris, April 2022) decided to set up a workgroup to review the current
version of the Declaration of Helsinki (DoH). The workgroup is led by Dr Jack Resneck
Jr. of the American Medical Association. During the revision process several
regional/thematic meetings were organised:
• Asian region in Tel Aviv, Israel on 9-11 December 2022
• Latin American region in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 24-25 February 2023.
• European region in Copenhagen, Denmark on 21-22 September 2023
• Pacific region in Tokyo, Japan on 30 November – 1 December 2023
• Conference on Research in Resource-Poor Settings in the Vatican on 18-19 January
2024
• African region in Johannesburg, South Africa on 18-19 February 2024
The following meetings are planned to take place before the General Assembly in
Helsinki in 2024 where the revised version will be adopted:
• Conference on Research with Vulnerable People in Munich, Germany on 14-15 May
2024
• Under consideration: Special Session at the 16th
World Conference on Bioethics,
Medical Ethics and Health Law in Brasilia, Brazil 24-26 July 2024
• Conference on Advocacy and Communication in Washinton, DC, United States on
14-16 August 2024
In order to maximise input by all stakeholders and the public, the workgroup organised
two separate periods for public comment. A phase 1 public comments period took place
in February 2024 to address the issues arising from the regional meetings. A phase 2
comments period will follow in the spring of 2024 once additional topics have been
addressed.
The workgroup intends to deliver a final updated draft of the Declaration of Helsinki to
the Medical Ethics Committee of the World Medical Association. It is intended that this
document be considered by the Council and the General Assembly in Helsinki, Finland in
October 2024.
Some of the WHO Ethics Department’s findings were presented at the DoH meeting in
Copenhagen in September 2023.
1.2 Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration
In 2014, the WMA in partnership with the International Alliance of Patients
Organizations, International Council of Nurses, International Pharmaceutical Federation
(pharmacists) and International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and
Associations (IFPMA), drafted a consensus-based framework agreement to publicly align
on shared ethical values. The Consensus Framework was established for ethical
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collaboration between patients’ organisations, healthcare professionals and the
pharmaceutical industry, in support of high-quality patient care.
This Consensus Framework and the accompanying resources are intended to serve as a
toolkit for those associations, groups and alliances who wish to develop their own
policies or national frameworks.
In May 2024, the 10th
anniversary of the Consensus Framework will be celebrated. On
this occasion the partners will discuss whether the framework needs to be extended, if
new topics should be included and how to foster uptake, especially in Africa.
In line with the IFPMA Africa strategy, to contribute to strengthening Africa’s health
ecosystem and in solving the region’s health challenges, WMA and IFPMA are working
on fostering awareness, development and implementation of a consensus framework in
the African region. In addition to this, WMA and IFPMA have intensified high level
discussions on ethics and compliance between physicians and the pharmaceutical
industry.
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2. HUMAN RIGHTS
2.1 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, Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng (South Africa).
2.2 Protecting patients and doctors
Actions of support
Country/ topic Case
ISRAEL
Oct. 2023 – Feb.
2024
Source:
Israeli Medical
Ass.
Media
Further to the large-scale attack launched by Hamas on Israel on 7th
October, the
WMA issued a statement to condemn the attack, demanding the immediate
liberation of hostages.
The WMA has subsequently highlighted the principles of medical neutrality, and
called on all parties in the conflict to respect International Law and the integrity of
unrelated civilian populations.
In December, the WMA sent out a call for Donations to the ICRC and Doctors
Without Borders to support the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
On 16 February, the WMA reiterated its call for medical neutrality, demanding the
safety of all civilians, especially children, as well as healthcare personnel and
facilities.
In February 2024 WMA issued another Press Statement calling for a “humanitarian
pause in order to allow for the safe delivery of humanitarian and medical aid and the
release and safe passage of hostages.”
IRAN
Jan. 2024
Source:
Amnesty
International
Associate
Members
Media
In January, the Secretariat was alerted to the fact that Dr Djalali, who was sentenced
to death on alleged espionage charges in October 2017, was again under imminent
threat of execution. Dr Djalali is unanimously recognised as a specialist in emergency
medicine who practices his profession peacefully. All reports agree that he is a
prisoner of conscience. An open letter was sent to the Iranian authorities asking for
his immediate and unconditional release and for a moratorium on the death penalty as
a first step towards its abolition.
PAKISTAN
Oct.2023
Sources:
Pakistan Med.
Ass.
Physicians for
Human Rights
In October, the WMA sent a letter to the authorities of Pakistan in support of Dr
Yasmin Rachid, a 70-year-old Pakistani gynecologist, in detention on the grounds of
alleged “inflammatory speeches” during a crackdown on riots on 9 May. Dr Yasmin
Rashid was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and was undergoing lengthy
treatment. Following her detention, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has allowed her
to undergo cancer-related treatment. In the letter, the WMA urges the authorities to
closely monitor her situation and ensure that she receives the necessary and desired
medical care for her cancer. The WMA also expressed its concern that the detention
of Dr Yasmin Rashid constitutes a violation of the fundamental human right to
freedom of speech and asked that all charges related to her freedom of expression be
dropped.
SOUTH
KOREA
March 2024
Sources:
At the beginning of March, the WMA issued two public statements in support of the
Korean Medical Association and the physicians on strike against the government’s
unilateral decision to drastically increase medical student admissions. In these
statements, the WMA reaffirmed the right of physicians to take collective action,
including strike action, and strongly condemned the actions of the Korean
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Korean Med.Ass.
Associate
Members
Media
government in attempting to silence strikers and the elected leadership of the Korean
Medical Association through harsh measures.
• World Medical Association Stands Firm in Support of Korean
Medical Association Amid Government-Induced Crisis
• World Medical Association Clarifies Position on Collective
Action and Condemns Government Interference in Korean
Medical Association
RUSSIA
Oct.2023
Sources:
John Hopkins
Bloomberg
School of Public
Health
The Lancet
In October, the Secretariat was made aware that Ukrainian military health personnel
were being unlawfully detained in Russia and exposed to ill-treatment. The
information is based on an article in the Lancet (September 2023) reporting 500
Ukrainian physicians, nurses and others in detention in Russia, and on the website of
the Military Medics of Ukraine (a new group composed of families of military
doctors).
The Secretariat contacted the President of the National Medical Chamber of Russia to
share this information and, if it is confirmed, to recommend that he take immediate
action with the Russian authorities in order to comply with international humanitarian
law, according to which medical personnel must not be treated as prisoners of war,
and with their obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which they ratified in 1987. The
Secretariat has received no response.
The information was also shared with the International Committee of Military
Medicine (ICMM) and the ICRC.
SUDAN
Dec. 2023
Source: OHCHR,
Media
Following the statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
on attacks on civilians in Sudan last December, the Secretariat reiterated WMA’s call
for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of healthcare based on the WMA
Resolution adopted in Kigali in October.
TURKEY
Oct. 2023-Feb.
2024
Sources:
TMA
Physicians for
Human Rights
Foundation of
Turkey
The Secretariat and WMA’s members remain mobilised to support the TMA, which
has been facing pressure from the Turkish authorities since October 2022.
In a joint effort to support the TMA and its mission to uphold medical ethics and
human rights, the WMA and the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME)
issued an open letter in early November urging the Turkish authorities to drop
charges against TMA’s leaders. Despite this and other appeals from the global health
community, a civil court in Ankara arbitrarily dismissed the 11 physicians from their
elected positions on the Central Council of the Turkish Medical Association for
threatening national security by acting outside the scope of the Association’s mission.
The Court decision was unequivocally condemned by the WMA and its partners:
Turkish Court Strips Nation’s Top Doctors of their Positions (01/12/2023)
Reinstate the Turkish Medical Association’s Central Council immediately (06/12/2023)
The TMA has appealed the decision.
Şebnem Korur Fincancı, President of the TMA, who was sentenced to 2 years, 8
months and 15 days imprisonment on charges of “propaganda for a terrorist
organization” has appealed against the sentence. The condemnation by the lower
court in Istanbul was approved by the intermediate supreme court in early February.
The TMA is preparing an appeal to the upper Court. The WMA stands ready to
intervene.
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2.3 Violence against healthcare 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.
During the reporting period, the Secretariat attended the regular meetings of the global
HCiD Community of Concerns (CoC) organized by the ICRC, which bring 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 for Medical Education (WFME), among
others. These meetings allow for an exchange of updated information between partners
and the exploration of possible joint actions on advocacy and the monitoring of violence.
During the reporting period, the CoC discussed the WHO Global Health and Peace
Initiative as well as the issue of misinformation/disinformation affecting the security of
health organisations.
Collaborative Forum on Attacks against Health Professionals
The WMA is part of the Collaborative Forum on Attacks against Health Professionals
initiated by the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) of the US National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) to engage in information sharing and
explore possibilities for individual and joint action. During the reporting period, C.
Delorme participated in the Fall Meeting of the Forum to Address Attacks on Health
Professionals (19 October) where she had the opportunity to report on WMA’s recent
activities to address violence against physicians.
Other activities related to violence against health care
The WMA continues to denounce attacks against health care across the globe (see item
2.2.1) and to advocate for sustainable prevention strategies globally, including in the
context of the current intergovernmental negotiations for a WHO convention, agreement
or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (see
item 4.4).
In October, the ICRC invited the WMA to contribute to a project on the use of emblems
and other signs to protect healthcare. The aims of this project are to deepen the
knowledge of the use of distinctive emblems to protect healthcare during conflicts and to
investigate the use of signs other than emblems to mark healthcare across all contexts.
The project includes a qualitative study, led by researchers from Kings College London,
for which the ICRC has identified several interlocutors whose contributions based on
experience and knowledge would very beneficial. Medical associations form part of these
interlocutors, as well as the International Committee of Military Medicine (ICCM). The
study focuses on selected countries in order to examine practices in greater detail. The
Secretariat contacted WMA constituent members in the selected countries to invite them
to contribute to the study (Australia, Brazil, Colombia, DRC, Egypt, El Salvador, France,
Germany, India, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Spain, South Africa,
UK, US). Most members have so far responded positively to the invitation.
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Amid various military conflicts in the world, the World Health Professions Alliance
(WHPA) started working on an open letter last December reiterating the principles of
Humanitarian Law, especially the protection of health personnel, health facilities and
vehicles, but also the strict prohibition on the abuse of health facilities, vehicles and their
personnel, to harbour or transport troops or to launch attacks from them. The statement is
currently being finalized and the WHPA is working on a dedicated website to enable all
interested healthcare professionals and organizations to sign it.
In March, Dr Steinum Þórðardóttir, chair of the Medical Ethics Committee, made a
keynote speech on the experience of the WMA on human rights violations occurring
in conflict zones at an educational event “Healing Beyond Borders: AMSA-EMSA
Medical Ethics Alliance”, a collaborative initiative between the European Medical
Students’ Association (EMSA) and the American Medical Student Association (AMSA),
seeking to equip future healthcare leaders with the practical skills and ethical knowledge
to navigate the complexities of medical ethics with a global perspective.
2.4 Prevention of torture and ill-treatment
The WMA Secretariat follows relevant international activities in this area, including
those of the Human Rights Council.
Psychiatric treatment – Mental health
Since 2017, the WMA Secretariat, with the support of Dr Miguel Jorge, psychiatrist and
previous 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.
In February, the WMA participated in a targeted consultation launched by the Steering
Committee for human rights in the fields of biomedicine and health (CDBIO) of the
Council of Europe on the draft Recommendation on respect for autonomy in mental
healthcare. The Recommendation aims to provide common principles to promote a
human rights-based approach in mental healthcare, safeguarding the rights and self-
determination of persons with mental health problems. The WMA’s comments, drafted in
consultation with Dr Miguel Jorge, have been shared with the World Psychiatric
Association (WPA), with which the WMA regularly collaborates, particularly in the
context of the global debate on the right to mental health.
2.5 Health through peace
Prevention of nuclear weapons
Further to the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), 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.
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Lujain Al-Qodmani was one of the keynote speakers at the side-event organized by the
IPPNW during the 2nd
Meeting of States Parties of the Treaty on the Prohibition of
Nuclear Weapons on 30 November in New York.
During the reporting period, the Secretariat had regular contacts with IPPNW to discuss
strategies to place the issue of nuclear weapons’ prevention on the global health agenda,
in particular through WHO.
WHO Global Health and Peace Initiative (GPHI)
The Secretariat continues monitoring the development of the WHO proposed Global
Health and Peace Initiative (GPHI), in collaboration with the ICRC, MSF (Médecins sans
Frontières) and ICN (International Council of Nurses), calling for more clarity and details
to guarantee the impartial provision of health care and adequate working conditions to
health personnel, therefore allowing them to strictly comply with their ethical duty to
protect the health and well-being of their patients. In late October, C. Delorme met with
representatives of the WHO Inter-Agency Policy for Emergencies Unit to discuss these
ethical issues.
The proposal was revised several times since December 2022 within the context of the
WHO consultation process with civil society and Member States, and is still under
discussion.
2.6 Sexual orientation and gender identity
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 (ECHR), given its position in April 2019,
raising strong concerns on the ethical validity of the World Athletics Federation’s
regulation. The WMA agreed and has since then been collaborating with the Global
Health Justice Partnership (GHJP) of the Yale Law School and School of Public Health,
which has sound expertise grounded in both health and law. A joint amicus brief was
submitted in October 2021 and the European Court handed down its decision on 11 July
2023, ruling in favour of Caster Semenya. Referring to our amicus brief, the Court
specifies that imposing a treatment that may cause significant side effects, not for strictly
medical reasons but in order to comply with the eligibility conditions set out in the DSD
Regulations, is not compatible with international standards of medical ethics.
The request from Switzerland to refer the case to the Grand chamber having been
accepted, the WMA and GHJP submitted an intervention in early January based on the
amicus brief, which was updated in light of new DSD regulations (March 2023).
In October, the Secretariat was contacted by the lawyer of another athlete, a Kenyan
runner, asking that the WMA serve as a witness to challenge the new DSD regulations
before the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) from the strict point of view of medical
ethics. The case raises the exact same substantive issues as that of Caster Semenya. The
WMA Executive Committee accepted the request and appointed Dr Montgomery, former
Chair of Council, to represent the WMA in this case.
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3. PUBLIC HEALTH
3.1 Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
General
Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes, as well as mental health disorders, are now
the dominant cause of death and disability across the world.
WMA is a member of the WHO Global Noncommunicable Diseases Platform (GNP),
which is a Department in the Division for UHC, Communicable and Noncommunicable
Diseases. The overall purpose of GNP is “to coordinate the United Nations system and
mobilize non-State actors and complement and enhance WHO’s work in supporting
governments to develop whole-of-government and whole-of-society responses to address
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target 3.4 and other NCD-related SDGs.”.
WMA is also a member of the WHO Civil Society Working Group on NCDs. The aim of
this workgroup is to provide recommendations to the WHO Director-General on how to
mobilize civil society in a meaningful manner to advocate for i) a highly successful
fourth high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on NCDs in
September 2025, and ii) to encourage strong civil society involvement and government
commitment to include prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion, protection
and care of mental health in national UHC benefit packages and strengthen public health
functions and institutions to be more responsive to NCDs, mental health and wellbeing.
At the World Health Summit, WMA was invited to speak at a session on empowering the
health workforce for NCDs. Dr Osahon Enabulele highlighted the current challenges of
health professionals, especially post-COVID, and emphasised the need for universal
health coverage implemented through the tool of primary health care, of which the
protection and safety of health professionals must be a cornerstone.
The WMA delivered a statement on the follow-up to the Political Declaration of the
Third High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of
non-communicable diseases at the 154th session of WHO Executive Board (January
2024).
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. WMA
attended the last annual meeting with NGOs accredited as Observers to the Conference of
the Parties (COP), which provided an update on the decisions taken by the COP and
presented the advocacy strategy of FCTC to raise awareness about and address the
devasting environmental consequences of tobacco.
Alcohol
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Within the context of the collaboration plan between WHO and WMA for the period
2022-2024, the WMA is contributing to the development, promotion and implementation
of the WHO action plan 2022-2030 to effectively implement the WHO Global Strategy to
reduce the harmful use of alcohol.
The WMA was invited to take part in the 7th Global Alcohol Policy Conference (GAPC),
held in Cape Town, South Africa on 24-26 October 2023. The event was organized by
the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA), a WMA key partner in this area, as well as
the South Africa Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the Southern African Alcohol
Policy Alliance (SAAPA), and the South Africa Department of Social Development. The
Secretariat shared the information within the membership and established contact
between the South African Medical Association and GAPA’s local partners.
3.2 Communicable diseases
Immunisation
The Steering Group on Influenza Vaccination, of which WMA is a member, has
developed this year’s flu immunisation campaign around health professionals. Health
professionals are one of the most trusted sources of health information and can play an
essential role in informing and motivating both their peers and the people they care for.
This is not only true for seasonal influenza vaccination campaigns; it applies to all types
of immunisations. To enable HCPs to do this important work, and to tackle the challenge
of rising vaccine hesitancy, they need to have the necessary knowledge, tools and
adequate resources to not only administer but also communicate and inform about
immunisation.
3.3 Health and populations exposed to discrimination
Women and health
In the run up to the International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on
25 November, Lujain Al-Qodmani, WMA President, signed the Kigali Declaration to
end FGM/C “From Rhetoric to Reality: Closing the Funding Gap and Uniting for
Action to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting’’, an initiative of the Global
Platform for Action to end FGM/C.
Refugees, migrants & access to health
The WMA Secretariat follows the agenda of the Health and Migration Programme of the
International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and promotes its activities related to
health issues, while bringing forward the recommendations of WMA policies related to
migrants’ health care.
3.4 Social determinants of health (SDH) and universal health coverage (UHC)
One of the most important global health topics is how countries can offer universal health
coverage to all, especially in marginalised societies, and protect people from financial
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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 took place in
September 2023 and WMA was represented by Dr Lujain Alqodmani.
UHC2030 is the global movement to build stronger health systems for UHC. Members
are countries, multi-lateral organisations, global initiatives, philanthropic organisations
and NGOs. WMA is an active member in this network and was appointed in the past to
the civil society advisory group. WMA has now been selected to be a member of the
UHC2030 Task Force. The network builds connections through joint high-level events
and gatherings and contributes advocacy, tools, guidance, knowledge and learning.
The WMA delivered a statement at the 154th session of WHO Executive Board
(January 2024) on:
• Universal Health Coverage appreciating the clarity of the WHO report on the
stagnation of progress in health coverage and the lack of concrete measures to catch
up, namely regarding mental and maternal and child health.
• Social Determinants of Health recommending that social determinants of health be
monitored through a multisectoral approach, including physicians, and urging
Member States to focus on sustainable, resilient Universal Health Coverage systems
which comprehensively address the needs of vulnerable populations and the
differential impacts of climate change.
3.5 Health and the environment
WMA Environment Workgroup
The 223rd
WMA Council in Nairobi (April 2023) decided to set up a Workgroup on
Environment mandated to support the advocacy work of the WMA in the field of
environment and health and to organise an Environment Caucus in parallel with statutory
WMA meetings to promote discussion and exchange of information within the WMA
membership at large. The Workgroup is currently chaired by Ankush Bansal, Associate
Member.
During the reporting period, the Environment Workgroup met twice to prepare the
Environment Caucus meeting scheduled in Seoul, to discuss opportunities to develop /
update WMA policies on environment as well as WMA’s advocacy work in view of the
UN Climate change conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan (November 2024).
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.
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The proposed strategic partnership is well in line with the agreed collaboration plan
between WHO and WMA for the period 2022-20241.
UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 30/11-
12/12/2023 – During the reporting period, a WMA delegation, coordinated by Lujain Al-
Qodmani for the first week and Ankush Bansal for the second week, attended the
Conference. Lujain Al-Qodmani, President of WMA, spoke at the first ministerial high-
level meeting on health organized at a COP. The WMA delegation was quite active in
side-events as presenters or panelists. The WMA Annual Report 2023 includes a report
on the activities of the delegation. An article will also be published in the World Medical
Journal.
Prior to the Conference, the WMA signed the Health Community Call for a Phase-out of
Fossil Fuels, and supported the initiative of a COP28 declaration on climate and health
calling on nations for rapid, sustainable, equitable action on climate change from the
perspective of health.
Under the initiative of the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA), in September
2022 the WMA joined other global health actors in supporting a call for a new World
Health Assembly Resolution on Climate Change and Health based on a One Health
approach to bring together evidence and actions to reflect the complex, interconnected
reality of climate change and health. The 154th
session of the WHO Executive Board
(January 2024) examined a 1st
draft resolution and decided to recommend its adoption by
the next World Health Assembly, subject to negotiations continuing until May. The
WMA made a statement at the Executive Board session supporting the development of
such a resolution, while asking for stronger language.
Air pollution
The WMA Workgroup on Environment plans to promote the WHO Air Pollution and
Health Training toolkit for the health workforce (APHT) to which the WMA has
contributed. A WHO representative will be invited to present it at the next Environment
Caucus to be held in Seoul (April 2024).
The advocacy work of the Secretariat on air pollution is otherwise mainly incorporated in
its activities related to climate change.
Chemical safety
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.
The WMA is a member of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals
Management (SAICM), a policy framework to promote chemical safety around the world
and to minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health.
On 30 September 2023, the Global Framework on Chemicals – for a Planet Free of
Harm from Chemicals and Waste – was adopted, as a successor to SAICM.
1 Other members 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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Dr Peter Orris, former co-chair of the WMA Environment Caucus and expert on the
WMA Environment Working Group, follows discussions on the global chemicals agenda,
including negotiations on the implementation of the Minamata Mercury Convention.
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 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 regularly published on the WMA social
media pages and in the WMA Newsletter.
3.6 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Medical Technologies
In August 2023, the Secretariat was contacted by the Health Division of the Organisation
for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) offering to collaborate with the
WMA on a survey on the implications of artificial intelligence tools on the healthcare
workforce (perceptions, involvement, and readiness of medical associations for the
adoption of artificial intelligence). The Secretariat contributed to the development of the
survey. The survey (available in English, French and Spanish) was first tested on a pilot
group of WMA members, including medical associations represented in the Executive
Committee and in the WG on Medical Technologies. It was then circulated to all WMA
constituent members. In January, the OECD Health Division consulted the Secretariat on
the preliminary report based on the survey results and on the next steps to be considered.
In December, the Secretariat circulated to WMA members a call for contributions from
the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Human Rights in Biomedicine and
Health (CDBIO) for a report on the impact of AI on the patient-doctor relationship.
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4. HEALTH SYSTEMS
4.1 Patient safety
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 improving
patient safety in different practice domains through policy actions, as well as for the
implementation of recommendations at the point of care. The World Health Assembly
also requested the WHO to report back on the progress in its implementation every two
years until 2031. In this context, the first-ever Global Patient Safety Report was adopted
in 2023.
In December 2023, the WMA participated in the WHO global experts’ consultation to
review the results of the ongoing Member State survey and gave input on the outline and
content of the Global Patient Safety Report 2023.
World Patient Safety Day 2023 had the theme “Engaging patients for patient safety” and
the slogan “Elevate the voice of patients!”. WMA is working closely with WHO through
its membership of the WHO steering committee for World Patient Safety Day on
defining the themes and the planning of this day.
The VI Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety entitled ‘Bringing and sustaining
changes in patient safety policies and practices’ will take place in Santiago de Chile in
mid-April 2024. WMA was invited by the Chilean Government to this summit. The
summit will analyse how different states have managed to implement, develop and give
sustainability to different strategies with the purpose of providing safe health care. This
will happen within the framework of the seven strategic objectives of the Plan of Global
Action for patient safety, exchanging experiences about learned lessons in the design and
implementation processes, the results obtained and future challenges, in order to translate
them into national commitments that imply concrete actions.
4.2 Antimicrobial resistance & One Health
During World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2023, WMA organised a webinar on
Engaging Healthcare professionals and civil society towards the AMR High-level
meeting on 22 November 2023.
In September, prior to the UN General Assembly, the UN GA President is convening a
High-level Meeting on AMR (HLM AMR). In the month before this the WMA will be
engaged in negotiations on the outcome document of the HLM AMR.
WMA recently joined the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform, that aims to
engage and empower a multitude of cross-sectoral stakeholder voices to preserve
antimicrobials as lifesaving medicines and ensure their responsible use under a One
Health approach. The secretariat of this platform is hosted by the Quadripartite
organisations (FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH).
WMA is participating in the global consultation on the WHO draft People-Centred
Framework for addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the human health sector.
The framework consists of interventions that span four pillars critical to overcome people
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and systems challenges in addressing AMR: (1) prevention of infections, (2) access to
essential health services, (3) timely and accurate diagnosis and (4) appropriate and
quality-assured treatment. The people-centred framework should inform governments on
the prioritization of country actions in the human health sector at the different levels of
implementation in a manner that is integrated with broader health system strengthening
and pandemic preparedness efforts.
The WMA has been invited to join the initiative PREZODE, which brings together
governments, research institutions, academia, civil societies, health agencies, and other
relevant entities from all over the world to advance research, advocacy and international
collaborations to prevent, reduce and tackle the emergence of zoonotic diseases. The
Executive Committee recommended joining the initiative as it aligns well with our
policies on preventing emergencies.
4.3 Health emergencies
In December 2021, the World Health Assembly decided to develop a WHO convention,
agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and
response (“Pandemic Treaty”) and WMA is actively engaged in the process. The
instrument will have recommendations for strengthening pandemic preparedness and
response according to the following categories: leadership and governance, systems and
tools, financing and equity. Furthermore, it should be seen as an additional tool for WHO
alongside the International Health Regulations, which aim to prevent the international
spread of disease since 1969 (last revised in 2005).
The WMA has been following the sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body
(INB), which is in charge of drafting the WHO instrument, and contributed to various
public hearings during the reporting period. During the last 2 years, WMA wrote several
constituency statements together with WHPA to the INB secretariat with concrete
suggestions for re-wording the draft version, and contacted the missions in Geneva
insisting that health workforce strengthening should be a crucial component while
ensuring continuous provision of other essential health and care services.
Many of our suggestions were taken on in the draft version of the document and we
received very positive feedback from several missions on our interventions on the current
draft version during the WHO Executive Board meeting. At the various public hearings
of the INB, we reiterated our demands on health care system strengthening and better
support of the health workforce in a public statement to the INB bureau and interested
missions. Furthermore, we requested alignment with existing WHO guiding documents
related to the health workforce. The negotiations are ongoing and WMA participates in
the frequent meetings. The active participation in this process is very time and energy
consuming and the WMA Secretariat would like to thank the JDN for their constant
support.
In an additional bid to better prepare the world for another possible health emergency,
WHO is amending the International Health Regulations. The WMA took part in most of
the meetings of the WHO Working Group on amendments to the International Health
Regulations (2005) (WGIHR), which took place between November 2022 and now. The
amendments to the International Health Regulations aim to complement the IHR and INB
documents.
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To bring all these activities together, the UN organised a High-Level Meeting on
Pandemic Preparedness and Response prior to the General Assembly of the UN and in
line with the HLM on UHC in September 2023. WMA participated with the following
delegation: Dr Osahon Enabulele, WMA President, Dr Lujain AlQodmani, WMA
President-Elect and Dr Julia Tainijoki-Seyer, Senior Medical Advisor.
4.4 Health workforce
WHO organised several conferences on occupational health, healthy, safe and resilient
workplaces in November 2023 and WMA was represented by Dr Julia Tainijoki.
The series of conferences included the following three meetings:
• Caring for those who care: Policy instruments for safeguarding the health, safety,
and wellbeing of health workers:
The health sector, which is supposed to restore, protect and promote health, is also
among the most hazardous sectors for health and safety of workers. Poor working
conditions are among the main reasons for attrition and strikes among health
workers. Therefore, the protection of health and safety of health workers should be
part of the core business of the health sector. Despite policy guidelines from WHO
and ILO and 50 legal instruments on the protection of workers from occupational
safety and health risks adopted by ILO, only 29 out of the 195 WHO have policy
instruments to protect the health, safety and well-being of health workers
• Health in the World of Work:
This meeting reflected on the COVID-19 pandemic and other current health crises in
order to plan and prioritize the network collaboration and engagement for the next
biennium.
• Global forum on healthy, safe and resilient workplaces.
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5. HEALTH POLICY & EDUCATION
5.1 Medical and health policy development and education
See under chapter II “Partnerships and collaboration”.
5.2 Support for national constituent members
See item 0 above.
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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 follows2:
6. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
154th Executive Board (January 2024)
• Universal health coverage
• Follow-up to the political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General
Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
• Antimicrobial resistance: accelerating national and global responses
• WHO’s work in health emergencies (constituency statement)
• Social Determinants of Health
• Climate change and health
Other WHO virtual meetings attended during the reporting period:
– Dr Lujain AlQodmani was selected to join the Steering Committee of the WHO Civil Society
Commission as a representative of the World Medical Association
• WHO consultation with professional associations and academia on the
implementation of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030, 18-20 January
2023
– WHO World Patient Safety Day 2023 Global Conference – developing ‘Patient Safety Rights
Charter’
– Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or
other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (INB),
WHO Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005),
– WHO World Patient Safety Day 2023 Global Conference: “Engaging patients for patient
safety”
– WHO meetings on Occupational and Workplace Health including the Global Forum on
healthy, safe and resilient workplaces
2 More information on the activities mentioned is set out under the relevant section of the report.
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7. OTHER UN AGENCIES
AGENCY ACTIVITIES
Human Rights Council (HRC) of the
United Nations
• Monitoring activities related to health
• Promotion of relevant HRC activities on
human rights and health through the WMA’s
media channels.
UN Special Rapporteur (SR) on the right to
the enjoyment of the highest attainable
standard of physical and mental health
• Monitoring the activities of the SR and
Promotion of relevant activities through the
WMA’s media channels.
Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment
• Monitoring the activities of the SR and
Promotion of relevant activities through the
WMA’s media channels.
UNAIDS Regular exchange of information
OECD • Regular exchange of information
• A collaboration on Artificial
Intelligence started in August
2023 between the WMA and the
Health Division of the OECD
International Organisation for Migration
(IOM), Health Division
• Regular exchange of information.
• Promotion of relevant IOM
activities on migration and health
through WMA’s media channels.
• OECD High-Level Policy Forum
on the Future of People-Centred
Health Innovation
8. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION: WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT,
DUBAI, UAE, 11-14 FEBRUARY 2024
This year, the World Medical Association was invited to the World Government Summit for
the first time. WMA President, Dr Lujain Alqodmani and WMA Secretary General, Dr Otmar
Kloiber were invited to speak and present at the forum’s health section on Urban Health and
technology. The WGS aims to be a platform for exchange about innovation in government and
administration.
9. WORLD HEALTH PROFESSIONS ALLIANCE (WHPA)
After 20 years of successfully supporting the professions and promoting public health at the
international level, WHPA revised its 5-year strategy in the first half of 2023. This started with
a survey of its members and stakeholders. The results will help to define priorities, objectives
and determine which activities should be implemented.
For the activities carried out by WHPA and WMA jointly please see agenda items 4.3 Health
Emergencies and 4.1 Patient Safety.
10. MEDICAL SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
With the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022, the WMA Secretariat, its members and
partners immediately mobilised to condemn the aggression and provide medical support to the
victims.
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In March 2022, the WMA together with the European Forum of Medical Associations (EFMA)
and the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) set up a Ukraine Medical Help
Fund to assist persons with medical needs suffering under the war. The fund is governed by a
taskforce composed of the founding members of the Fund (Steering Committee), in cooperation
with the Polish Chamber of Doctors and Dentists, the Slovakian Medical Association and the
Slovakian Medical Chamber, the Japan Medical Association, the French Medical Association
and the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony.
The primary purpose of the fund is to collect medical supplies and other equipment to maintain
health care in Ukraine in cooperation with the Ukrainian Medical Association as well as
member and partner organisations in Ukraine and the neighbouring countries.
WMA members are invited to contribute to the fund. As of 22 February 2024, total donations
have accumulated to 4 251 895.45 Euros (1 480 595.62 Euros were received in 2023). Using
these donations, medical supplies have been purchased and delivered at 2 374 456.00 Euros.
The donations were sent by:
• Japan Medical Association: 513 million Japanese Yen (3 671 599.77 Euros; 213 million
Japanese Yen (1 447 502.55 Euros donated in 2023)
• CNOM (French Medical Council and its regional councils): 239 142 Euros
• Croatian Medical Chamber: 85 046.85 Euros
• Icelandic Medical Association: 62 056 Euros
• Royal Dutch Medical Association: 20 000 Euros
• Landesaerztekammer Hessen: 19 915.16 Euros
• Swiss Medical Association: 18 867.03 Euros
• Taiwan Medical Association: 18 779.34 Euros
• Danish Medical Association: 16 601.85 Euros
• Polich Chamber of Physicians and Dentists: 1 075.00 Euros
• Other organizations like CPME, Henry Schein FRANCE, Hrvatska Health Care Employers’
Association and Colegio Oficial de Medicos De La Rioja SPAIN
• And around 300 Individuals from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Greece,
Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden and UK
A press release was issued: Medical Bodies Send Further Help to Besieged People of Ukraine
The fund is still live and further donations are welcomed. This assistance was underlined by
two resolutions of the General Assembly in Berlin: The “WMA Resolution in support of
Medical Personnel and Citizens of Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion” and the “WMA
Resolution on Humanitarian and Medical Aid to Ukraine”.
11. WMA COOPERATING CENTRES
The WMA is proud to enjoy the support of academic cooperating centres. The WMA
Cooperating Centres 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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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
International Chair in Bioethics In recent years, the WMA has supported the
“International World Conference on Bioethics,
Medical Ethics and Health Law” organised by the
International Chair in Bioethics, previously
organized by Prof. Dr Amnon Carmi, now by
Prof. Rui Nunes, University of Porto. The
conference serves as a platform to discuss WMA’s
current policies with physicians, ethicists and
other scientists.
The growing international network of academic
ethics and law departments, which has been
meeting for the past two decades under the title
UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, has been
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 Cooperating
Centre”.
The https://www.bioethicsbrasilia2024.com/is
scheduled for 16-19 October 2023 in Porto,
Portugal, The WMA plans to present work on
current policies and developments.
12. WORLD FEDERATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION
In 1972 the World Medical Association, along with the WHO and six regional representations
of medical faculties, founded the World Federation for Medical Education – WFME. The group
was later joined by the Educational Commission for foreign Medical Graduates, the
International Federation of Students Associations, and the Junior Doctors Network.
WFME has three major areas of work:
• The recognition programme evaluates agencies against internationally-accepted
criteria for accreditation.
• The World Directory of Medical Schools is maintained together with FAIMER and
other organizations. It contains information on over 2,900 schools, both operational
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and historical. Each record highlights available school details including start year,
school type, operational status, programme details and contact information.
• The Global Standards for Quality Improvement of Medical Education, covering
basic (undergraduate) medical education (BME); postgraduate medical education
(PGME); and continuing professional development (CPD) of medical doctors
The WFME recently published the revised Standards for Post-Graduate Medical Education.
The World Medical Association has been invited to join the organising committee for the next
World Conference on Medical Education (a conference series that was initiated by the World
Medical Association in the 1950s) to be held in Bangkok 25-28 May 2025. The WMA Chair
has asked Prof. Carlos Serena to join the committee on WMA’s behalf.
13. VIENNA CONGRESS 28-29 JANUARY 2024
After being awarded the Golden Arrow in 2021 the World Medical Association has been now
participated for the fourth time in the annual Vienna Congress, bringing together scientists,
Nobel Prize laurates, politicians, entrepreneurs and medical leaders to discuss current problems
and innovative solutions. WMA President, Dr Lujain AlQodmani participated in a panel
discussion on scientific advancements and science scepticism from a physician perspective.
WMA Secretary General, Dr Otmar Kloiber discussed the role of regions in the development of
health services and the health care industry.
14. 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 offer
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 also launched
courses for non-members. These courses are now being updated and the new versions will be
available soon at https://www.wma.net/what-we-do/education/wcea-cme-courses/. The
member-accessible portal is available in the members’ area after log-in.
15. 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 and the protection of health personnel.
Human Rights Watch Regular contact on issues of common interest, in particular on
sexual orientation and gender identity.
Global Alliance on Alcohol
Policy (GAPA)
Regular exchange of information, in particular in the context
of the WHO action plan (2022-2030) to effectively implement
the WHOs Global Alcohol Strategy as a public health priority.
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.
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• Collaboration in the context of violence against
health personnel and on WHO Global Health
and Peace Initiative
• Ad hoc consultations on WMA’s policies of
shared concern subjected to revision.
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).
• Regular collaboration in the context of
violence against health personnel in conflict
settings.
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
participates in various work groups on matters of research in
resource poor settings, patient information and healthy
research subjects. Current publications can be found on the
website of CIOMS (http://chioms.ch)
International Federation of
Medical Students Associations
(IFMSA)
Internship programme 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 this
process. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the
WMA General Assembly, October 2017 (Chicago), and was
renewed in February 2023.
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 a third party in connection with the case
Semenya v Switzerland at the European Court of Human
Rights.
University of Pennsylvania
International Internship
Program
Annual internship programme 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 related to
the role of health personnel to prevent /
document torture.
• Ad hoc consultations on WMA’s policies of
shared concern subjected to revision.
Global Climate & Health
Alliance (GCHA)
WMA and GCHA agreed on a mutual partnership in 2023.
Regular exchange of information and collaboration within the
context of the UN Climate Change Conference and WHO-
Civil society Working group to Advance Action on Climate
and Health.
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World Veterinary Association Common advocacy on matters like AMR, zoonotic diseases,
food safety, vaccination and ONE HEALTH as a general
strategy.
Physicians for Human Rights
(PHR)
Regular exchange of information and joint actions on attacks
against health personnel, in particular in support of the
Turkish Medical Association during the reporting period.
International Physicians for
the Prevention of Nuclear War
(IPPNW)
Exchange of information and regular joint actions since
January 2021 related to the entry into force of the UN Treaty
on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Safeguarding Health in
Conflict Coalition
• Observer status in the coalition.
• Regular exchange of information.
Committee on Human Rights
(CHR) of the US National
Academies of Sciences,
Engineering & Medicine
(NASEM)
• Member of the Collaborative Forum on
Attacks against Health Professionals set up by
the NASEM Committee on Human Rights in
early 2022.
• Regular exchange of information on attacks
against health personnel
Médecins Sans Frontières
(MSF)
• WMA and MSF agreed on a mutual
partnership in 2023 (or 2022??)
• Regular exchange of information and
collaboration in the context of violence against
health personnel and on WHO Global Health
and Peace Initiative.
• MSF is also involved in the revision process of
the WMA Declaration of Helsinki.
World Coalition Against The
Death Penalty
Exchange of information, in particular regarding individual
cases requiring international support.
Medical Human Rights
Network (IFHHRO)
Exchange of information on human rights and health matters.
Sustainable Health Equity
Movement (SHEM)
Joint advocacy for Health Equity
CHAPTER III COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH
16. 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 1,800 recipients. Since
August 2021, the Newsletter has been sent out through a new mailing system compliant with
GDPR regulations.
17. WMA SOCIAL MEDIA (TWITTER AND FACEBOOK)
In 2013, the WMA launched its official Facebook and Twitter accounts. Since 2018, the WMA
has also been communicating 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.
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On X (former Twitter), the number of followers has increased to 16,100. Most interactions
have been obtained during the Live Tweeting sessions from events organised by the WMA and
in reaction to our new policies and press releases.
The WMA Facebook profile is used for publicising our new policies, promoting our events and
those of our partners, as well as the most prominent media mentions. The account has over
14,000 followers who are mostly engaging when a topic is controversial.
18. 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. Dr Helena Chapman, JDN Publications Director for the past
few years, has successfully taken over the position of editor-in-chief of the Journal, and it is
continued to be managed by Ms Maira Sudraba of the Latvian Medical Association. Dr
Chapman follows Dr Peteris Apinis and Prof. Elmar Doppelfeld in the role.
19. WMA ANNUAL REPORT
The WMA started issuing Annual Reports in 2017. These reports highlight the main activities
of the WMA, focusing on the report of the President and events organised around topics such
as Health, Environment, NCDs, Influenza and Human Rights, but also on the categories of
WMA Membership and the Financial Report. They are available on the WMA website and a
very limited number of copies are distributed at the WMA Council and General Assembly.
20. PRESS OFFICER ROLE
Following the WMA Council Session held in October 2023 in Kigali, the role of Press Officer
has been transferred from Mr Nigel Duncan to Ms Magda Mihaila, in addition to her role as
Communications Manager at WMA.
21. SECONDMENTS/INTERNSHIPS
We have been running an internship programme with the IFMSA since 2013. During the
second half of 2023, we had one intern from Turkey for 9 weeks. Our internship programme
with the University of Pennsylvania, which has been running with 2-3 interns per year since
2014 and continued remotely in 2021, also continued with two in-person interns over the
summer in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, 2 interns from UPENN and 2-3 interns from IFMSA are
expected.
22. WMA GLOSSARY
The WMA Glossary, which defines the terms in the WMA policies, was launched in October
2023 at the General Assembly. It is accessible through the members’ area of WMA’s website.
CHAPTER IV OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
23. STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2030
Led by Dr Jack Resneck, Jr., Chair of the Finance and Planning Committee, the WMA
Executive Committee initiated a discussion on updating the strategic plan, which will expire in
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2025. The first brainstorming session was held in Rome in January 2024 and some preparation
work will be done before opening up the discussion among the entire membership.
CHAPTER V ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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.

04.03.2024