web2newFinal WMA Annual Report 2023

ANNUAL REPORT
2023
WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
MESSAGE FROM THE WMA PRESIDENT………………………………………………………………………2
POLICIES ADOPTED AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2023 – KIGALI……………………………3
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2023 – KIGALI…………………………………………………………………………….4
WMA AT COP 28 DUBAI – SUMMARY REPORT……………………………………………………………5
PROTECTING PHYSICIANS AGAINST GROWING THREATS TO THEIR AUTONOMY
AND SAFETY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6
WHPA REPORT ON COVID IMPACT ON HEALTH PROFESSIONALS…………………………8
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATING BODY
TO STRENGTHEN PANDEMIC PREVENTION, PREPAREDNESS AND
RESPONSE………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9
GLOBAL PATIENT SAFETY ACTION PLAN 2021–2030………………………………………………..10
REVISION OF THE DECLARATION OF HELSINKI………………………………………………………..10
WORLD ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AWARENESS……………………………………………….11
5TH GLOBAL FORUM ON HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH…………………………………12
WMA INTERVENTIONS TO WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY AND WHO EXECUTIVE
BOARD…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13
PUBLIC RELATIONS……………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
MEMBERSHIP………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….15
FINANCIAL REPORT……………………………………………………………………………………………………….16
WMA LEADERS AND WMA SECRETARIAT…………………………………………………………………17
SUMMARY
MESSAGE FROM THE WMA PRESIDENT 
D R L U J A I N A L Q O D M A N I
W M A P R E S I D E N T
P A G E 0 2 |
As we reflect on the challenges and triumphs of
the past year, it is clear that physicians and the
global medical community have faced
unprecedented hurdles. In some regions, the
burden of the pandemic persists, underscoring
the urgent need for robust pandemic
preparedness and response measures.
The latest report from the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change serves as a stark
reminder of the far-reaching impacts of climate
change on human health. From the rise in
vector-borne and food-borne diseases to the
exacerbation of mental health conditions, the
toll on human lives is undeniable. Additionally,
escalating conflicts and violence have displaced
millions of people around the globe, pushing
more people towards poverty and famine,
placing immense strain on healthcare systems
and threatening the fundamental right to
health.
Against this backdrop, the rise in workplace
violence against physicians and healthcare
professionals is deeply concerning. We must
advocate for zero-tolerance laws and policies to
ensure a safe working environment for all
healthcare personnel, particularly women.
Amid these challenges, the role of the World
Medical Association (WMA) in setting medical
ethics standards and advocating for physician
rights has never been more vital.
The ongoing work on the Declaration of Helsinki
exemplifies our dedication to advancing
medical ethics and protecting human subjects
in research.
Through extensive regional consultations and
rigorous review processes, we are poised to
adopt updated standards that will serve as a
beacon of integrity for medical research
worldwide.
In advocating for bold climate and health
action, the WMA calls for a transition to
renewable energy sources. Our recent advocacy
efforts, including the co-signing of an open
letter to the COP28 Presidency, underscore our
commitment to addressing the urgent health
threats posed by climate change.
The adoption of political declarations on
tuberculosis, pandemic preparedness, and
universal health coverage at the last United
Nations General Assembly in New York
represents significant milestones in our
collective efforts to address those three global
health challenges. As we move forward, it is
imperative that we translate these
declarations into tangible actions on the
ground, with a focus on equitable
implementation and sustainable financing.
Looking ahead to 2024, I remain optimistic
that we will see progress in building resilience
against future pandemics, promoting peace,
and safeguarding human rights. As we
prepare for the UN General Assembly in
September 2024, I hope we will witness fewer
words and more actions on the ground
urgently addressing anti-microbial resistance.
In the year ahead, let us redouble our efforts
to protect the rights and safety of physicians
worldwide and ensure that no one is left
behind in our pursuit of health for all. With
your continued support and trust, I am
confident that we can overcome the
challenges ahead and build a healthier, more
equitable world.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment
to the mission of the World Medical
Association.
WMA Declaration of Washington on Biological Weapons (revised)
WMA Declaration on the Ethical Use of Medical Technology (revised)
WMA Statement in Times of Armed Conflict and Other Situations of Violence (revised)
WMA Statement on Forced or Coerced Sterilisation (revised)
WMA Statement on Human Health as a Primary Policy Focus for Governments Worldwide
WMA Statement on Medical Ethics during Public Health Emergencies
WMA Statement on Natural Variations of Human Sexuality (revised)
WMA Statement on Primary Health Care
WMA Statement on Electronic Cigarettes and Other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
(revised)
WMA Resolution on International Medical Meetings in Countries Persecuting Physicians
against Medical Ethics and Human Rights Standards
WMA Resolution Condemning the Violence against Physicians in Nepal
WMA Resolution for an Immediate and Effective Ceasefire in Sudan and the Protection of
Health Care (revised)
WMA Resolution in Support of the Medical Associations in Latin America and the
Caribbean (revised)
WMA Resolution on Acknowledgement and Condemnation of the Human Rights
Violations against the Uyghurs and Other Minorities in China
WMA Resolution on Anti-LGBTQ Legislation in Uganda (revised)
WMA Resolution on Human Rights Demonstrations in Iran (revised)
WMA Resolution on Medical Workforce (revised)
Policies adopted at the General Assembly 2023 – Kigali
P O L I C I E S                                 W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
P A G E 0 3 |
Policies reaffirmed by the 223rd Council Session, Nairobi, April 2023 and the 224th
Council Session, Kigali, October 2023
WMA Statement on Advance Directives (Living Wills) (with minor revision)
WMA Statement on Forensic Investigation of the Missing (with minor revision)
WMA Statement on Fungal Disease Diagnosis and Management (with minor revision)
WMA Statement on the Right to Rehabilitation for Victims of Torture (with minor revision)
WMA Statement on the United Nations Resolution for a Moratorium on the Use of the Death
Penalty (with minor revision)
WMA Resolution on Collaboration Between Human and Veterinary Medicine (with minor
revision)
WMA Resolution on Prohibition of Physician Participation in Capital Punishment (with minor
revision)
WMA Resolution on Supporting the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use,
Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (with
minor revision)
WFME Global Standards for Quality Improvement: Postgraduate Medical Education 2023 and
as a consequence, the following policy was updated:
WMA Resolution on WFME Global Standards for Quality Improvement of Medical Education
WMA endorsed the:
The warm welcome by Dr David
Ntirushwa, President of the Rwanda
Medical Association, reflected the spirit
of collaboration among delegates.
The Honorable Dr Sabin Nsanzimana,
Minister of Health of Rwanda, delivered
a poignant address highlighting the
challenges faced by the medical
profession during the Covid-19
pandemic. He emphasized the need for
resilience, education, and a
commitment to fundamental
principles like medical ethics. Dr
Nsanzimana’s reference to Rwanda’s
tragic history served as a powerful
reminder of the strength that can
emerge from adversity.
The tribute to outgoing President Dr
Osahon Enabulele by Dr Jungyul Park
underscored Dr Enabulele’s remarkable
contributions to the medical profession,
human rights advocacy, and his role as
the first West African president of the
WMA.
Dr Enabulele’s valedictory address
provided a reflective overview of his
term, highlighting advocacy efforts,
defense of colleagues, and a
commitment to universal health
coverage.
P A G E 0 4 |
WMA General Assembly 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda
The installation of the new President, Dr
Lujain Alqodmani, marked a symbolic
transition, with Dr Alqodmani’s
inaugural address outlining her vision
for the future of the WMA.
The Plenary Session covered various
important aspects, including a moment
of silence for Dr Anthea Mowat, past
Interim Chair of the Associate Members,
and other colleagues who have passed
away during the past year.
The election of the new President for
2024-2025, Dr Ashok Philip, highlighted
the democratic processes within the
WMA. Dr Philip’s acceptance speech
expressed gratitude and commitment
to collaboration for the benefit of
patients and the medical profession.
The resolutions adopted reflect a
commitment to human rights, medical
ethics, and global health, setting the
stage for continued collaboration and
advocacy in the years to come. The
Assembly’s proceedings demonstrate
the WMA’s dedication to transparency,
inclusivity, and responsible governance,
ensuring that the medical community
remains a driving force for positive
change worldwide.
E V E N T S                                     W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
C E R E M O N I A L S E S S I O N O F T H E G E N E R A L A S S E M B L Y I N K I G A L I , R W A N D A
P A G E 0 5 |
A seven-member delegation from the World Medical Association attended COP 28 in
Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023. Led by Dr Lujain Alqodmani and Dr
Ankush Bansal, the WMA collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO),
Global Climate & Health Alliance (GCHA) and other healthcare entities.
World Medical Association at COP 28 Dubai – Summary Report
The most notable development at the
conference for WMA was the initiation of
the first themed Health Day at a COP. This
was held on 3 December 2023. 
At the opening, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus,
Director General of the World Health
Organisation (WHO), emphasized that
health is the human face of climate change
and that the health workforce has a role to
speak up for a cleaner, healthier future. 
The second notable development of the
conference was the first ministerial high-
level meeting on health at a COP. Dr Lujain
Alqodmani, President of WMA and the only
invited speaker of an NGO, gave an inspiring
call to action to the over 49 Ministers of
Health and representatives to 25+ additional
Ministries of Health present at the meeting.
Prior to the conference, the WMA
supported the initiative of a COP28
declaration on climate and health calling
on nations to take rapid, sustainable,
equitable action on climate change from
the perspective of health. By the close of
COP, approximately 143 nations had signed
this declaration. In addition, the WMA
signed the Health Community Call for a
Phase-out of Fossil Fuels. The COP 28 UAE
Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture,
Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action
was also generated at COP 28 and signed
by 158 nations.
During the conference, the WMA delegation
was active in side-events as presenters or
panelists:
Dr Ankush Bansal served as a panelist at
the WHO Pavilion on a session hosted by
both Harvard University’s Tseng-Hsi (T.H.)
Chan School of Public Health and the
François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for
Health & Human Rights, entitled “Linking
Agendas on Climate Change & Health at
the UNFCCC and World Health
Assembly”. Dr Bansal discussed WMA
policies on climate change and health,
WMA work at COP and the World Health
Assembly (WHA), and how the WMA
advocates for synergy and action among
the WMA, UNFCCC, and WHA. 
Dr Muha Hassan was invited to deliver a
talk on how digital health technologies
contribute to climate change mitigation
efforts and the development of climate
resilient technologies in the healthcare
sector as part of a ‘Digital health and
youth’ session hosted by YOUNGO at the
Climate Live pavilion. 
On 6 December, Dr Johanna Schauer-
Berg served as panelist at a session on
Linking Agendas of the UNFCCC and the
World Health Assembly in Latin America
and the Caribbean. The panel was kindly
hosted at the Guatemala Pavillion on
behalf of AILAC and facilitated by the
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public
Health and the InterAmerican Institute
for Global Change Research.
A C T I V I T I E S                   W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
The WMA delegation collaborated with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, academics,
students and scientists from around the world in the climate and health space
through the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA) and daily policy meetings.
The WMA delegation contributed to these meetings based on monitoring of
negotiations, party outreach and analysis of the health presence at COP 28.
Protecting physicians against growing threats to their autonomy and safety
The year 2023 was marked by a high number
of intense conflicts in many parts of the world,
exposing healthcare to constant threats and
attacks, jeopardizing the lives of health
personnel and patients and deteriorating
already fragile health systems. This is not to
mention the cascading impact of violence on
infrastructure, the environment, the availability
of water and other basic needs of the
population – a pattern conducive to the
emergence of severe infectious diseases. This
in turn led to more dead, injured and sick
people, with health systems in ruins, a lack of
medical equipment as well as understaffed
facilities and exhausted health personnel.
The WMA has this year again employed every
effort to alert and condemn violence against
physicians and other health personnel, calling
tirelessly for sustainable and robust national
and international regulations to put an end to
this scourge. The support of WMA members,
documenting occurrences of violence in their
countries and relaying our calls, has been
essential to expanding our actions worldwide.
WMA’s collaborations within the context of
the “Health Care in Danger” (HCiD) initiative
lead by the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC) have also been instrumental
to collect accurate information and reflect on
the best strategies for advocacy and the
monitoring of violence.
P A G E 0 6 |
A C T I V I T I E S                   W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
‘Despite the critical importance of
physicians and other health
professionals in the delivery of quality
healthcare to citizens, they are still
being buffeted with violence in their
workplaces, both in peace and conflict
times’
WMA Past-President, Dr Osahon Enabulele, May
2023
In accordance with its well-established core
policies, the WMA has spoken out on several
occasions this year on armed conflicts that
seriously endanger health care, requesting
parties to respect ethical principles, including
medical neutrality, as well as international
humanitarian law. In its interventions on the
conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, and more recently
in Israel and Gaza, the WMA has consistently
emphasised that health personnel and
facilities must never be a target, that access to
healthcare must always be guaranteed and
that health facilities and signs of protection
must never be abused for other purposes.
However, violence against health care does
not only occur in armed conflict settings. It
takes on other forms and is no less a reality in
other regions of the world. Last October, the
WMA General Assembly condemned the surge
in attacks on physicians and the widespread
violence occurring within health institutions in
Nepal. That same month, our Pakistani
member asked for WMA’s support to demand
the immediate liberation of Dr Yasmin Rashid,
a 70-year-old physician with an exemplary
record of service, in administrative detention
in Pakistan, allegedly for her “inflammatory
speech” during the crackdown on the riots of 9
May.
· H E A R I N G O F T M A ’ S L E A D E R S , 1 0 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3 ,
A N K A R A + H E A R I N G O F D R Ş E B N E M K O R U R
F I N C A N C I , 1 1 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3 , I S T A N B U L – W I T H D R
J A C Q U E S D E H A L L E R , P R E S I D E N T O F W M A A S S O C I A T E
M E M B E R S
Protecting physicians against growing threats to their autonomy and safety
As part of a coalition of medical and human
rights organisations, coordinated by Physicians
for Human Rights (PHR) and in collaboration
with the TMA, the WMA has been monitoring
the situation carefully throughout the year and
has advocated at every stage of the legal
proceedings so far. The WMA has consistently
denounced the relentless harassment against
the TMA and its members, and demanded
that physicians not be punished for respecting
their ethical obligations “to practise medicine
fairly and justly and provide care based on the
patient’s health needs without bias or
engaging in discriminatory conduct on the
basis of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic
origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation,
race, culture, sexual orientation, social
standing, or any other factor” (para. 2 WMA
International Code of Medical Ethics).
P A G E 0 7 |
A C T I V I T I E S                   W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
Physicians are becoming pawns in struggles
for power which threaten democracy. As Dr
Osahon Enabulele noted: ‘Most disturbing is
the involvement of repressive regimes in
some countries that have undertaken an
unholy mission of undermining the
professional freedom, independence and
autonomy of physicians’. The persistent
coercion by the Turkish authorities of the
Turkish Medical Association (TMA) and its
members over the past year is one striking
example of such abuse of authority.
On 30 November, after numerous
postponements, a civil court in Ankara
arbitrarily dismissed eleven 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
same goes for Dr Şebnem Korur Fincancı,
President of the TMA, who was sentenced in
January 2023 to almost three years’
imprisonment on a charge of “terrorist
propaganda” for expressing a medical opinion
calling for an independent investigation into
the possible use of chemical weapons in the
region. Dr Korur Fincancı, held in pre-trial
detention for nearly three months, was
released pending appeal.
C O U R T T R I A L O F T M A ’ S L E A D E R S , 2 2 J U N E
2 0 2 3 , A N K A R A – W I T H W M A P R E S I D E N T
O S A H O N E N A B U L E L E
The WMA has consistently denounced
the relentless harassment against the
TMA and its members, and demanded
that physicians not be punished for
respecting their ethical obligations “to
practise medicine fairly and justly and
provide care based on the patient’s
health needs without bias or engaging
in discriminatory conduct on the basis
of age, disease or disability, creed,
ethnic origin, gender, nationality,
political affiliation, race, culture, sexual
orientation, social standing, or any
other factor” (para. 2 WMA
International Code of Medical Ethics).
· H E A R I N G O F T M A ’ S L E A D E R S , 1 0 . 0 1 . 2 0 2 3 , A N K A R A +
H E A R I N G O F D R Ş E B N E M K O R U R F I N C A N C I , 1 1 . 0 1 . 2 0 2 3 ,
I S T A N B U L – W I T H D R O S A H O N E N A B U L E L E , W M A
P R E S I D E N T A N D D R J A C Q U E S D E H A L L E R , P R E S I D E N T
O F W M A A S S O C I A T E M E M B E R S
This report by the World Medical Association, World Health Professions Alliance and
the World Health Organization has revealed the extent of the physical and
psychological damage done to healthcare professionals during the Covid-19
pandemic because the health systems they worked in failed to protect them.
Key findings of the report
Investing in and ensuring access to
mental health and psychosocial support
services for HCWs globally is paramount.
HCWs interpret the lack of systematic
protection mechanisms for their safety
and security as being undervalued. This
exacerbates the workload burden,
resulting in temporary and permanent
departures from service,
The need for HCW representation at
high levels of planning, strategy and
decision-making
·Vaccination communication strategies
should be dual-purpose, both for this
pandemic and other pervasive and long-
standing vaccination challenges.
Providing vaccinations training for HCWs
P A G E 0 8 |
WHPA report on COVID impact on health professionals
A C T I V I T I E S                         W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
The report, published in February
2023, pulls together evidence of the
impact of the pandemic from the
WHPA’s five members, the main
health professionals organisations,
which in total represent 41 million
healthcare professionals. View the
report here.
Guidelines and recommendations for
HCWs testing for COVID-19 are available in
most countries, however, routine testing of
the HCWF is not implemented.
Health workers experienced incidents of
violence or discrimination against them
due to COVID-19.
Interruptions of HCW education were
profound.
Societal inequalities across and within
countries have been exacerbated during
the pandemic.
In December 2021, the World Health Assembly made the decision to develop a WHO
convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention,
preparedness and response, referred to as the “Pandemic Treaty”.
The World Medical Association is actively engaged in this process, which is a positive
step towards ensuring global health security.
This treaty will provide recommendations
for strengthening pandemic preparedness
and response in the following categories:
leadership and governance, systems and
tools, financing and equity. In addition, the
WMA sees it as a valuable asset for WHO,
complementing the International Health
Regulations, which have been in place since
1969 (last revised in 2005) to prevent the
spread of disease across borders.
Throughout the reporting period, the WMA
closely monitored the sessions of the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB),
responsible for drafting the WHO
instrument, and made significant
contributions to various public hearings. In
December 2022, the WMA and WHPA
collaborated on a constituency statement
to the INB secretariat, providing specific
suggestions for rewording the draft version.
Additionally, they reached out to the
missions in Geneva, highlighting the
significance of bolstering the health
workforce while maintaining the
uninterrupted provision of other essential
health and care services.
P A G E 0 9 |
The World Together: Establishment of an intergovernmental negotiating body
to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
A C T I V I T I E S                         W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
In an effort to better prepare the world for
another possible health emergency, WHO
is amending the International Health
Regulations. The World Medical
Association (WMA) has been actively
involved in the meetings of the World
Health Organization (WHO) Working
Group on amendments to the
International Health Regulations (2005)
(WGIHR) since November 2022. The goal
of these amendments is to supplement
the International Health Regulations and
International Non-Binding Instruments.
We received positive feedback from several
missions regarding our interventions during
the WHO Executive Board meeting on the
February draft version of the document. In a
public statement to the INB bureau and
interested missions during the public hearing
of the INB at the end of February 2023, we
reiterated our demands for healthcare system
strengthening and better support for the
health workforce with confidence. In addition,
we have requested alignment with existing
WHO guiding documents related to the
health workforce.
To further strengthen these efforts, the United
Nations (UN) hosted a High-Level Meeting on
Pandemic Preparedness and Response ahead
of the UN General Assembly, following the
High-Level Meeting on Universal Health
Coverage in September 2023. The WMA
delegation was composed of Dr Osahon
Enabulele, WMA President, Dr Lujain
Alqodmani, WMA President-Elect, and Dr Julia
Tainijoki-Seyer, Senior Medical Advisor.
“The extreme conditions generated by the
pandemic highlight the need for decent,
safe, and responsive working conditions
to deliver better health outcomes. Safe
and supportive working environments
also ensure the retention of qualified
health workers to maximize investments
made in health education and training.
Specifically in pandemics, this means
measures to avoid exhaustion, mental
health traumas and burn out caused by
health systems gaps as well as actions to
prevent workplace violence.”
Constituency statement to the WHO Executive Board 152
(Jan-Feb 2023)
In 2021, the World Health Assembly adopted
the “Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–
2030”. This plan provides strategic direction
and suggested actions for stakeholders to
eliminate avoidable harm in healthcare and
improve patient safety in different practice
domains through policy actions and
implementation of recommendations at the
point of care. The first-ever Global Patient
Safety Report was published in 2023 as a
reporting mechanism, and WMA had the
privilege of participating in the WHO’s
global experts’ consultation to review the
results of the ongoing Member State survey
and provide input on the Global Patient
Safety Report.
In February 2023, the WMA and members of
WHPA submitted a statement titled ‘Health
Workforce Safety is Patient Safety’ at the 5th
Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety
in Montreux, Switzerland.
The 2023 World Patient Safety Day had the
theme ‘Engaging Patients for Patient Safety’
and the slogan ‘Elevate the Voice of
Patients!’. The WMA was actively involved in
the planning of this day as a member of the
WHO steering committee for World Patient
Safety Day.
Global Patient Safety Action Plan
2021–2030
P A G E 1 0 |
A C T I V I T I E S                                 W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
Revision of the Declaration of Helsinki
The 220th Council (Paris, April 2022)
established a workgroup to review the
current version of the Declaration of Helsinki
(DoH). We are confident that this inclusive
approach will result in a comprehensive and
well-informed revision of the DoH. The
workgroup is led by Dr Jack Resneck Jr. of
the American Medical Association and the
revision process is collaborative, transparent,
and inclusive. Over the course of two years,
the workgroup has held regional and
topical meetings where local and
international experts, as well as engaged
audiences with diverse opinions, have
discussed specific issues. The resulting
proposed edits of the principles are being
shared globally for public feedback.
In December 2022, the first regional
meeting on the revision process of the DoH
was held in Tel Aviv, Israel. The delegates
engaged in a fruitful discussion on various
topics, including patient informed consent,
patient data, and risks to participants. The
discussion was centered around the
significant changes in the amount of data
that can now be gathered and shared, with
particular attention given to recent
technological advancements such as
artificial/augmented intelligence and their
use in medicine.
In February 2023, the Brazilian Medical
Association hosted the second regional
expert meeting in São Paulo, Brazil, which
focused on the use of placebos in research
on human subjects.
Meanwhile, the Danish Medical Association
held a regional meeting in Copenhagen to
explore the need for revision of the DoH in
light of new and emerging trial designs. In
November, the Japan Medical Association
organised a conference in Tokyo.
Positive practice environments are
health care settings that provide decent
work conditions, and have the power to
attract and retain staff, provide quality
care and deliver cost-effective, people-
centred health care services. One
essential element is good occupational
safety and health provision(…).
Health professionals need opportunities
for education and information to learn,
develop, progress and save lives. And
professional recognition and
empowerment are needed to improve
performance and build professional self-
worth.
Joint Statement: “Health workforce safety is
patient safety”
P A G E 1 1 |
A C T I V I T I E S                                 W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness
During the World Antimicrobial Resistance
Awareness week in November 2023, WMA
and WHO organized a webinar to discuss
the roles of healthcare professionals’
associations and civil society leadership in
the international political AMR agenda
during the upcoming year. Antimicrobial
Resistance is on the rise globally and is
estimated to have been directly responsible
for 1.3 million deaths in 2019. It also carries
significant economic costs and could
reduce global GDP by 3.4 trillion USD
annually and push 24 million more people
into extreme poverty in the next decade if
left unchecked.
The burden of AMR is unequal. Low and
middle income countries with the greatest
unmet needs for diagnostics, therapeutics
and vaccines are disproportionately affected
by drug-resistant infections.
In 2016, the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) high-level meeting (HLM)
stressed the urgent need for action. Several
initiatives started and progress had been
made until the COVID-19 pandemic, which
undermined surveillance, stewardship and
diverted resources from AMR. We are at a
critical junction in the aftermath of a global
pandemic and gearing up towards another
high level meeting on AMR in September of
2024.
WMA participated in the worldwide
consultation on the WHO draft People-
Centred Framework for addressing
antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the
human health sector. The framework
encompasses interventions covering four
crucial pillars to overcome people and
systems challenges in addressing AMR:
infection prevention, access to essential
health services, timely and accurate
diagnosis, and appropriate and quality-
assured treatment.
The Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR,
which facilitates collaboration between
FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH, invited the
WMA to participate in a webinar
consultation in January 2023. This is in
preparation for the first Global Human and
Veterinary Medicines Regulatory Authorities
Summit and Forum to Preserve
Antimicrobials, provisionally scheduled for
22-23 March 2023. The consultations
gathered stakeholder opinions on how
regulations for medicines, enforcement
measures, and smart solutions can be used
to eliminate the sale of unprescribed
antibiotics over-the-counter and online.
The WMA cooperates with PREZODE, an
initiative that unites governments, research
institutions, academia, civil societies, health
agencies, and other relevant entities
worldwide to advance research, advocacy,
and international collaborations to prevent,
reduce, and tackle the emergence of
zoonotic diseases. The Executive
Committee strongly recommended joining
the initiative, as it aligns perfectly with our
policies on preventing emergencies.
P A G E 1 2 |
A C T I V I T I E S                                 W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
5th Global Forum on Human Resources for Health
WMA contributed to the preparation and
organization of two sessions at the 5th
Global Forum on Human Resources for
Health, which was held in April 2023 on the
theme of ‘Protecting, safeguarding, and
investing in the health and care workforce’.
The Forum provided valuable updates on
progress in implementation, evidence and
experiences in workforce development, as
well as opportunities for the post-COVID-19
era.
As a member of the WHO drafting
workgroup, WMA played an integral role in
developing the conference document, with
action points on attracting, retaining,
supporting, and re-skilling health and care
workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, WMA collaborated with several
other NGOs to organize a side-event focused
on protecting the rights of health and care
workers during pandemics and beyond.
WMA President, Dr Osahon Enabulele,
provided valuable insights from an African
perspective.
The event aimed to explore ways to move
from technical guidance to effective
regulation. During the presentation, the
speakers discussed effective ways to
safeguard the well-being of healthcare
workers in everyday situations and during
health emergencies. This is particularly
important in the face of a shortage of skilled
professionals who put their lives at risk to
care for us.
The second session organised by WMA and
WHPA focused on the impact of COVID-19
on the health workforce – past, present and
future. WHO requested the cooperation of
the World Health Professions Alliance to
conduct a study on the pandemic’s effects
on healthcare workers. Reporting the
precise number of COVID-19 deaths,
including those among healthcare workers
(HCWs), is a significant challenge worldwide,
even in countries with well-functioning
death registration systems.
However, the WHO publication estimates
the global number of HCW deaths due to
COVID-19 using various analytical
approaches. This session marked the official
launch of the report and highlighted both
the positive outcomes and areas that
require further improvement. During the
WHPA speakers’ presentation, three key
impacts of Covid were highlighted.
One of the impacts is the need for mental
health support for health professionals,
which was brought to the forefront by the
pandemic. The Positive Practice
Environments campaign by the WHPA aims
to identify where this need is being met
positively and address any gaps that
remain.
The demand for physiotherapy is increasing
due to long Covid, and interruptions to
essential healthcare during the pandemic
have caused significant backlogs. Lessons
can be learned from the pandemic,
particularly in areas where there are already
critical staff shortages and poor working
conditions.
The Covid pandemic brought about
significant changes to the scope of practice
for health professions. Community
pharmacies stepped up to play a larger role
in vaccinations and disseminating reliable
health information, while dentists had a
smaller role in these areas. It is clear that
the pandemic has highlighted the need for
a more flexible and adaptable healthcare
system that can respond to changing
circumstances.
These changes provide valuable lessons for
the push towards Universal Health
Coverage (UHC), particularly in light of the
High-Level Meeting on UHC at the United
Nations General Assembly in September
2023.
P A G E 1 3 |
A C T I V I T I E S                                 W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
WMA interventions to World Health Assembly and WHO Executive Board
The WMA closely follows the activities of the World Health Organization, including its
governing meetings, which take place in January and May each year. Having an official
observer status with the WHO, the WMA can submit policy statements to its Executive
Board and World Health Assembly.
Achieving Universal Health Coverage and
the prevention and control of non-
communicable diseases
Public health emergencies: preparedness
and response (constituency statement)
Global Health for Peace Initiative
Social determinants of health
Universal Health Coverage
(Constituency statement)
Prevention and control of non-
communicable diseases
Public health emergencies and
responses (Constituency
statement)
Global Health for Peace Initiative
Well-being and health promotion
Social Determinants of Health
Statements submitted to the 76th
World Health Assembly (May 2023)
Statements submitted to 152nd
Executive Board session
(January 2023)
WMA public statements, declarations and open letters
The WMA follows the global health news and issues statements, declarations and open
letters to coincide with public events and/or related to current health issues.
22 November 2023 – Joint Statement on World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
16 February 2023 – Open letter with Annex with specific comments on the zero draft of
the future WHO international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and
response
12 June 2023 – Joint WMA-CPME letter to the Turkish authorities in support of the
Turkish Medical Association
13 June 2023 – Zero Draft Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting on Universal
Health Coverage – Changes to wording by the World Medical Association
27 June 2023 – WMA Statement at the Fourth WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and
Addictive Behaviours (27-30 June 2023)
P A G E 1 4 |
C A M P A I G N S                             W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
06/10/2023
Gender Equality In Healthcare Is A Top
Priority, Says New Global Physician Leader
28/09/2023
Educating for a Rabies-Free World: ‘All for 1,
One Health for all’
21/09/2023
WMA Urges Türkiye to Respect Medical
Ethics Amid Persecution Concerns
31/07/2023
WMA Welcomes European Court of Human
Rights siding with Caster Semenya
16/05/2023
Global Violence Against Physicians
Condemned by WMA President
24/04/2023
World Medical Association Council Meeting
22/04/2023
“Grave Concern” Expressed Over UK
Government’s Migrants Proposal
21/04/2023
Death Penalty Proposal for Homosexual
Offences Condemned by WMA
20/04/2023
Korean Professor Elected Chair of World
Medical Association
20/04/2023
Physician Leaders Call for an Effective
Ceasefire in Sudan
05/04/2023
Global Medical and Human Rights Groups
Call on Türkiye to End Persecution of
Doctors
03/04/2023
Report reveals extent of damage caused to
healthcare professionals during the Covid-
19 pandemic
24/03/2023
World Medical Association condemns death
penalty for gay offenders
18/12/2023
A Call for Donations to ICRC and Doctors
Without Borders to support the humanitarian
situation in Gaza
15/12/2023
E-Cigarettes Are Harmful and Not Safe, Warn
Physician Leaders
06/12/2023
Reinstate the Turkish Medical Association’s
Central Council immediately
01/12/2023
Turkish Court Strips Nation’s Top Doctors of
their Positions
06/11/2023
The World Medical Association and The
Standing Committee of European Doctors
urge Turkish Authorities to Drop Charges
Against Turkish Physician Leaders
19/10/2023
The World Medical Association Demands
Immediate Liberation of Pakistani Physician
15/10/2023
The World Medical Association stands firmly for
the principles of medical neutrality as defined
by the Geneva Convention, and calls on all
parties to respect International Law and the
integrity of unrelated civilian populations
13/10/2023
WMA Strongly Condemns the Attack of Hamas
on Israel, Urging Immediate Liberation of
Hostages
11/10/2023
World Physicians Stress The Need of Ethical
Use of Medical Technology
10/10/2023
WMA GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2023
09/10/2023
World Medical Association Takes Bold Steps to
Counter Biological Weapons Threat
07/10/2023
Physician Leaders Condemn Surge in Attacks
on Physicians in Nepalese Health Institutions
WMA has issued a significant number of press releases in support of its members and
each time a human rights violation by the health sector was brought to its attention.
The press releases are available on the WMA website and were communicated via the
WMA social media channels and in the newsletter.
Public Relations
Constituent Membership
Physicians around the world are typically
represented by the national and territorial
medical associations of their regions.
Such associations are broadly representative
of the physicians of their country by virtue of
their membership, with their voting
membership being limited to physicians and
medical students. They are not subject to or
directed by any office or agency of
government.
Advantages
1. Recognition and acceptance as a member
of an international organization such as the
WMA lends the power of a global community
to a National Medical Association (NMA). This
underlines the importance and relevance of
the NMA.
2. The WMA is in official relations with United
Nations agencies such as the World Health
Organization, which gives NMAs and
Associate Members access to these
international bodies.
3. By participating in debates with colleagues
from all over the world, NMAs and Associate
Members have the opportunity to collaborate
on ethical guidance and leadership in health
care.
4.Information and knowledge can be sourced
from the WMA, which can contribute to the
optimal efficacy of NMAs and individual
physicians.
5. NMAs and Associate Members can make
use of the WMA’s products and services.
The WMA currently has a total of
114 members as of October 2023.
There is a detailed membership
list on the WMA website.
M E M B E R S H I P                               W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
Associate Membership
Associate membership is limited to
physicians (as defined in the WMA Bylaws)
and medical students who are properly
enrolled in a recognised medical school,
who have applied for such membership and
who have paid the amount of dues
prescribed for such members. Associate
membership is available to these individual
physicians and medical students whether or
not their National Medical Association is a
Constituent Member of the World Medical
Association.
1. The privilege of attending and participating
in WMA annual assemblies.
2. Introductions to professional leaders in
your field and opportunities to visit medical
and health institutions abroad.
3. Information on medical meetings abroad.
4. A service department which will assist you
in meeting your colleagues both at home
and abroad. 
5. A membership certificate for display,
6. WMA secretariat consultation, service and
small meeting center. 
7. Preferred access to the WMA Education
Portal for Continuing Medical Education and
Continuing Professional Development.
8. Publications of the World Medical
Association.
9. Access to internal discussion documents
on policy development.  
The WMA currently has more
than 1800 active Associate
Members as of April 2023.
The registration page is available
on the WMA website.
P A G E 1 5 |
Advantages
P A G E   1 6 |  
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER
FOR THE YEARS 2022 AND 2021
F I N A N C I A L R E P O R T                   W M A 2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
 INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEARS
2022 AND 2021
*Ukraine Medical Help Fund, founded in March
2022, by the European Forum of Medical
Associations (EFMA), the Standing Committee of
European Doctors (CPME) and the World Medical
Association, 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 provide
medical supplies and other equipment to
maintain health care in Ukraine in cooperation
with the Ukrainian Medical Association as well as
member and partner organizations in Ukraine
and the neighbouring countries.
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 2 375 097 Euros
(325 892,09 Euros were used in 2023). The fund is
still live and further donations are welcomed.
Dr Julia TAINIJOKI-SEYER
Senior Medical Advisor
Clarisse DELORME
Senior Advocacy Advisor
Yoonsun PARK (Sunny)
Head of Operations
Magda MIHAILA
Communication and
Press Manager
Roderic DENNETT
Spanish Translator
Marie FERREIRA
Technical Assistant
Anne-Marie DELAGE
Office Secretary
Marielle GUIRLET, PhD
WMA Archive Coordinator
Radhia SMAALI
Maintenance
P A G E   1 7 |  
WMA SECRETARIAT
WMA LEADERS
Research with vulnerable people – WMA
Declaration of Helsinki revision
Start date: May 14, 2024
End date: May 15, 2024
Location: Munich, Germany
WMA Declaration of Helsinki Revision:
Advocacy and Communication
Start date: August 14, 2024
End date: August 16, 2024
Location: Washington, DC, United States
WMA General Assembly, Helsinki 2024
Start date: October 16, 2024
End date: October 19, 2024
Location: Helsinki, Finland
229th WMA Council Session, Montevideo 2025
Start date: April 24, 2025
End date: April 26, 2025
Location: Montevideo, Uruguay
FUTURE MEETINGS
13, ch. du Levant, CIB – Bâtiment A, 01210,
Ferney-Voltaire, France
Phone: +33 4 50 40 75 75 
Fax: +33 4 50 40 59 37
wma@wma.net
facebook.com/WorldMedicalAssociation/
twitter.com/medwma