WONCA NEWS July 2023 + WFDD 2023 Report

VOL 49 | NUMBER 6

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Y E A R S

NEWS

2023 J U L Y

T H I S

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WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY A Campaign Created by

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WONCA PRESIDENT DR ANNA STAVDAL (NORWAY) EMAIL: PRESIDENT@WONCA.NET TWITTER: @ASTAVDAL PRESIDENT-ELECT ASSOC PROF KAREN FLEGG (AUSTRALIA) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE & HONORARY TREASURER PROF VAL WASS (UK) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE DR MARÍA PILAR ASTIER PEÑA (SPAIN) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE PROF SHABIR MOOSA (SOUTH AFRICA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA AFRICA DR DAN ABUBAKAR (NIGERIA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA ASIA PACIFIC ASSOC PROF MOHAMMAD HUSNI JAMAL (MALAYSIA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA EAST MEDITERRANEAN PROF TAGHREED MOHAMED FARAHAT (EGYPT) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA EUROPE PROF SHLOMO VINKER (ISRAEL) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA IBEROAMERICANACIMF ADJ/PROF JACQUELINE PONZO (URUGUAY) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA NORTH AMERICA DR JEFF MARKUNS (USA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA SOUTH ASIA DR TARIQ AZIZ (PAKISTAN) YOUNG DOCTORS' REPRESENTATIVE DR SANKHA RANDENIKUMARA (SRI LANKA) WONCA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DR HARRIS LYGIDAKIS WONCA WORLD SECRETARIAT WORLD ORGANIZATION OF FAMILY DOCTORS AVENUE DES ARTS 7-8 1210 BRUSSELS BELGIUM EMAIL: SECRETARIAT@WONCA.NET PHONE: +32 (0) 2 329 00 75 WONCA EDITOR MARIA DOLORES ZAVALA EMAIL: EDITOR@WONCA.NET TRANSLATIONS DR JIE GU DR HUA YANG

CONTENT FROM THE PRESIDENT

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WONCA SYDNEY HOC CHAIR: MAY 2023

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WONCA CONFERENCES

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WONCA SYDNEY 2023 SAVE THE DATES

IN MEMORIAM

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MUSTAPHA AMINU TUKUR

WONCA MEMBERS

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WONCA & WHO NEWS

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TOWARDS THE 2023 UN HIGH-LEVEL MEETING

WONCA REGIONS

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DISCOVER THE WINNERS OF THE WONCA EUROPE SPECIAL PROJECT FUND FRONT-LINE WARRIORS: THE EVOLVING ROLE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN SOUTH ASIA

WP & SIGS NEWS

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A CALL FROM FAMILY DOCTORS TO SECURE A JUST AND EQUITABLE TRANSITION TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND SAFEGUARD HEALTH FROM THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY WONCA WP ON RURAL PRACTICE: RURAL ROAD TO HEALTH PODCAST: AMPLIFYING RURAL HEALTH VOICES

YOUNG DOCTOR'S MOVEMENTS

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INTEGRATING CARE LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY PROGRAM

FEATURED STORIES

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PRIMARY CARE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE WONCA PAST PRESIDENT, PROF. KIDD TO LEAD UNSW'S NEW CENTRE FOR FUTURE HEALTH SYSTEMS

WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY 2023 REPORT

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ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

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FROM THE PRESIDENT J U L Y 2 0 2 3

WONCA NEWS

Translate this content into your preferred language using the Google Translate feature on the WONCA website.

W O R L D V I E W S The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.

Philosopher Henri Bergson

As I announced in March, WONCA is launching “The Global Core Values Project,” a worldwide brainstorming focused on the defining principles and values of Family Medicine. It’s very much on my mind.

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A N N A S T A V D A L WONCA PRESIDENT

How, I wonder, can we prepare for this important process? So far, I’ve come upon two good tips, both of which are focused on how we see the world.

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LOCAL / GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES We Family Doctors are licensed and obligated to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease; many of those we meet are also facing situational crises. Meantime, we keep our ear to the ground so we can register what`s happening around us. We bear witness to the impact that minor or major natural, and man-made, disasters have on our community. Societal changes, after all, are reflected in healthcare – and in Primary Care first.

Meantime, whether we’re aware of it or not, we experience and interpret this larger world from our own limited, local perspective.

Which gets us only so far! What about other localities? It’s not so easy to see life through the eyes of people whose own limited, local perspective is vastly different from ours?

The WONCA President must travel. As we head toward the upcoming brainstorming, I’m sure it’s all the traveling I’ve been doing that has foregrounded the astonishing moments when a local perspective is cracked open by the world! Books, lectures, firstperson accounts can all teach us about the resources and shortcomings of the world’s communities. But nothing drags our unrecognized, inaccurate assumptions, and projections, into the light as undeniably as actually going somewhere else, in person.

Thanks to so many far-away encounters with Family Doctor colleagues, representatives of other health professions, policy makers, and politicians, I’ve had my own worldview thoroughly challenged! That and all the eyeopening contacts I’ve had with patients, socalled ‘ordinary people’ immersed in contexts very different from my own.

I found it’s worth the effort – and, yes, the courage –required to realize and put words to the differences between us and other people, between our contexts and theirs.

We’re moved closer to understanding both ourselves and our fellow human beings.

AND SO, TO TIP NUMBER ONE:

WONCA NEWS

Free-of-charge, they offer a way to “Upgrade Your Worldview” through exploring the extent to which your assumptions about the world match the facts. (Or, I must admit, don’t match them!) You can quickly see how close your presumptions are to the verified facts about many areas: migration, the quality of education, poverty, demographic indicators, health indicators, international conflicts, threatened species…to mention only a few. You learn immediately how many other people answered right or wrong, based on results gathered from Gapminder’s tests of thousands of people. You may be surprised how many of us are simply unaware of basic facts.

We can choose to see the world as we wish it were. Or as we’re afraid it might be. But we’re obviously more likely to make good decisions if we know how it actually is.

I took the test, and I encourage all of you to do the same. It’s fascinating. Even fun. And perhaps, as they propose, “The world is not as bad as you think.”

For example ,what do you assume the facts tell us about this: “What share of the world`s population don`t have enough food to meet their daily needs?” The survey offers 3 alternatives: 11%, 29% or 37 %.

Just so you know, fully 79% of the responders get this wrong! Go to https://www.Gapminder.org and see if you did.

Over the years, these WVS results have demonstrated the key role that people's beliefs play in economic development, in the emergence and flourishing of democratic institutions, in the rise of gender equality and equity, and in the extent to which societies’ governments are effective.

You can start exploring at: https://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSCon tents.jsp The relevance this has for Family Doctors is clear: a hallmark of our profession is our commitment to providing care to all, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. We’re fully aware that such aspects of our patients’ lives may be vitally significant to them. We need to take them into account if we’re to create healing relationships that are personal, based on trust, and able to endure over time – that is, if we are to fulfill another hallmark of our profession: continuity of care.

AS CONFUCIUS SAID… It’s never too late to have your own misconceptions corrected!

I look forward to engaging with you in our “Global Core Values Project" brainstorming.

TIP NUMBER TWO TO HELP PREPARE FOR OUR BRAINSTORMING: Another source to help widen our perspective is “The World Values Survey” (WVS). Since 1981, a worldwide network of social scientists has conducted representative WVS national surveys in almost 100 countries. This global research project explores people's values and beliefs, how they change over time, and what social and political impact they have.

I recently came across an online tool called “Gapminder.” Its designers are an independent, educational, non-profit organization determined to fight global misconceptions.

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D R

A N N A S T A V D A L WONCA PRESIDENT

W O N C A

C O N F E R E N C E S

WONCA NEWS

ADJ. PROFESSOR KAREN PRICE

My photo today is in honour of green day. A reminder to bring something green to celebrate. Details to be released soon.

We have just under 100 days to go to celebrating primary care at RACGP-WONCA Sydney 2023. Our theme “recovery” will be well showcased with a dynamic selection of life after the peak of a global pandemic. We know the pandemic tail is long and hard for us and our patients with millions more pushed into poverty. We know there is inequity in the experience of Covid, similar to many other chronic diseases intersecting with the social determinants of health.

But we must also advocate for our health as healthy doctors deliver healthy patient outcomes. I know Professor Heaths plenary will be a highlight of the conference.

Read about this amazing health advocacy here and here.

Dr Krupali Tappoo

Dr Iona Heath

Dr Iona Heath who has long written on inequity in health care will be presenting a plenary to remind us to “remember who we are”. Dr Heath is a brilliant and compassionate speaker who has written widely for the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and is a past president of the UK Royal College of General Practice (RCGP). Health systems based on Primary care offer the best hope for health care access and therefore as family doctors we become advocates for health care for all.

As Family Doctors and General Practitioners, we see the need for advocacy and equity daily. I’m reminded of meeting Dr Krupali Tappoo an Australian trained GP who is now in Fiji. Dr Tappoo has been part of developing the only paediatric cardiac centre in the whole of the South Pacific as well as preventive care through rural and remote healthcare outreach.

Dr Tappoo is coming to WONCA. Please read about this amazing work developing health equity in the South Pacific. This work has been supported through international collaborations from India, Pacific Islands, New Zealand, USA, Singapore, and Australia to name a few. What a few nations can achieve is a wonderful testament to collaborative advocacy which we know especially impacts children. With rising food poverty for children of the south pacific there is an urgent need to deliver culturally safe care.

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Image: Tourism Australia

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WONCA NEWS

Professor Brad Murphy

Dr David Tipene-Leach

We also have an amazing and perhaps challenging plenary panel on cultural safety involving indigenous Australian Associate Professor Brad Murphy, Dr David TipeneLeach, Professor of Māori and Indigenous Research, and Associate Professor Viviana Martinez-Bianchi who has expertise in health equity for Latin America. This amazing panel will be expertly facilitated by well-known equity advocate Dr Tim Senior. How are we all biased? How are our systems stacked against those who most need healthcare?

What can we do about it? I look forward to your reflections and questions on this topic.

We aim for good interactivity at this outstanding conference so come prepared to speak and question. It will be inspiring and for many a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the internationalism of primary care.

I encourage you to immerse yourself into this highly memorable celebration of Family Doctors work, and please review our interactive program flip book detailing all the skills and insights you can take back to your practice and daily work. Dermatology, women’s health updates, rural health emergencies are just a few of the sessions taking place.

Until next month Stay well, stay hopeful and stay connected.

A D J .

P R O F E S S O R K A R E N P R I C E

Chair of the HOC WONCA Sydney Immediate past president RACGP

Associate Professor Viviana Martinez-Bianchi

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SAVE THE DATES 8

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WONCA NEWS

IN MEMORY OF

MUSTAPHA AMINU TUKUR The WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice and the WONCA Rural Seeds Ambassadors unite in delivering a heartfelt message in memory of Mustapha Aminu Tukur, esteemed WONCA Rural Seeds Ambassador for Africa.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the tragic passing of Mustapha Aminu Tukur, WONCA Rural Seeds Ambassador for Africa.

Mustapha was a compassionate individual who touched the lives of many in the communities and international networks he served.

We have had the privilege of collaborating with Mustapha over the past two years. As a Rural Seeds Ambassador and member of Rural WONCA Council, he was a passionate advocate for rural health who established and coordinated our collaboration with Scholar RX to develop accessible online modules about rural health.

In this moment of grief and loss, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mustapha Tukur’s family, friends, and colleagues.

May he rest in peace.

The Rural Seeds Ambassadors and the WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice.

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Professor Alan Bruce Chater, Chair, of the Wonca Working Party on Rural Practice extended his condolences especially to his family and Rural Seeds colleagues.

“His passing has special sadness for the loss of his contribution to Rural WONCA and Rural Seeds”, noted Professor Chater.

Dr John Wynn-Jones, Immediate Past Chair WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice wrote: "I wanted to highlight the tragedy of the death of one of our Rural Seeds Ambassadors, Mustapha Aminu Tukur from Nigeria. It is always terrible when someone so young, so enthusiastic and so able is taken away from us. I again extend our deepest condolences to his family friends and colleagues.

The entire WONCA community stands in solidarity with the colleagues and friends of our esteemed colleague, Mustapha Aminu Tukur, as they navigate this painful loss. We offer our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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WONCA NEWS

WONCA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS We are thrilled to welcome the Syrian Association of Family Medicine, the World Federation for Mental Health, and the Department of General Practice at the University of Oslo to our growing WONCA family. These new additions to WONCA's membership signify an important step towards fostering global collaboration and excellence in family medicine.

The Syrian Association of Family Medicine’s rejoins WONCA as a Full Member Organization at a crucial time. This membership brings more than just the association back into the fold; it presents a vital platform for increased collaboration and knowledge exchange with family medicine professionals working under extraordinary circumstances in Syria. As WONCA, this move reinforces our commitment to bolster the development of family medicine in the East Mediterranean Region. It is a significant step that further highlights the importance of resilient healthcare systems, solidifying WONCA’s representation in the area.

Additionally, we are pleased to welcome the Department of General Practice at the University of Oslo as our new Academic Member. This membership highlights the importance of academic institutions in shaping the future of family medicine and primary healthcare.

These new members bring diverse perspectives and expertise that will greatly contribute to our mission. We remain committed to fostering collaboration, supporting professional development, and advocating for the vital role of family doctors in improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities worldwide.

In recognition of its exceptional contributions to mental health, the World Federation for Mental Health is now an Organization in Collaborative Relations with WONCA. This collaboration will allow joint initiatives, share resources, and exchange best practices between our two organizations.

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TOWARDS THE 2023 UN HIGH-LEVEL MEETING TAKING ACTION FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE The upcoming 2023 UN High-level meeting (UN HLM) on universal health coverage (UHC), scheduled for September, presents a significant platform for countries and stakeholders to revitalize their efforts in achieving health for all. This event offers a prime opportunity to reignite momentum and advance the global agenda of delivering comprehensive healthcare to everyone.

To ensure effective implementation and accountability, it is crucial to establish an outcome that is action-oriented, emphasizing the development of resilient and equitable health systems, with primary healthcare serving as a fundamental pillar.

With the theme of "Universal Health Coverage: expanding our ambition for health and well-being in a post-COVID world," the meeting aims to address the pressing challenges faced by countries worldwide in achieving comprehensive healthcare for all.

Discover more about the upcoming 2023 UN High-level meeting HERE. You can also engage, advocate and participate using their official Media toolkit.

With information of https://www.uhc2030.org/

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WONCA NEWS

WONCA EUROPE

DISCOVER THE WINNERS OF THE WONCA EUROPE SPECIAL PROJECT FUND Dear Colleagues, We're excited to announce the two winners of the WONCA Europe Special Project Fund.

Chosen from a pool of impressive submissions, we are proud to support the following projects: 1. semFYC, the Spanish Scientific Society of Family and Community Medicine with partners: You can find the full list of participating partners and the project description here.

We are proud to be a part of their success and look forward to witnessing their positive impact.

Congratulations to the winners of the WONCA Europe Special Project Fund and our gratitude to all participants for their exceptional submissions.

You all made this initiative an important success.

Their project, EURODATA Study, addresses equally workforce capacity building in family practice in Europe. The project aims to describe the official information available regarding PHC patient care during COVID-19 pandemic in the European economic region and OECD countries and build a common dashboard of PHC activity indicators to be shared in European countries and design a common contingency plan to face future pandemic enhancing the role of PHC, based on PHC indicators.

2. EQUIP, with partners: You can find the full list of participating partners and the project description here.

The aim of the project, Lessons Learned in Primary Care of Value to the Health Sector from the COVID-19 pandemic, is to publish a Position Paper that summarises the wide range of topics in publications of the European PRICOV-19 Study. This Position paper will make a statement about what actions are needed to improve the preparedness of primary care (PC) in the event of a future pandemic, and by whom.

Both winning projects will be awarded a substantial prize of 5,000 EUR each.

Please join us in congratulating these winners for their remarkable achievements.

We will keep you informed about the progress of these projects as they begin their journeys.

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On behalf of the WONCA Europe Executive Board, Shlomo Vinker WONCA Europe President

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WONCA NEWS

WONCA SOUTH ASIA

FRONT-LINE WARRIORS: THE EVOLVING ROLE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN SOUTH ASIA Authors: Dr. Tariq Aziz, President WONCA South Asia Region (SAR) Dr. Hina Jawaid, Chair WONCA SAR Primary Care Research Network Dr. Ramakrishna Prasad, Editor WONCA SAR Journal

2- Educational activities conducted by Dr Basharat Ali, Academic secretary WONCA SAR. These were face-to-face sessions held in cities of Lahore & Gujranwala, Pakistan. The purpose of these sessions was to provide current, evidence-based clinical information to family physicians.

Compassion, competency, team-work, patient safety and equity are the fundamental pillars of primary care. In order to improve skills and knowledge of primary care physicians (PCPs) and overall quality of work structured training of PC Physicians is essential. Furthermore, to achieve universal health coverage in low middle-income countries, the existence and maintenance of robust primary care (PC) system is a must.

Multiple efforts are taking place on a day to day basis in our region to contribute towards strengthening of PC system. Significant contributions by family physicians in research and academic activities along with defining recommendations and advocacy strategies for primary care have been shared in this section.

(I)- A 2- day workshop on “Hospital Acquired Infection Prevention and Control” by Dr Basharat Ali held on 3rd & 4th May and again on 22nd & 23rd June, arranged by Mercy Corps Pakistan at local hotel.

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES HELD IN SOUTH ASIA REGION 1- Primary Care Research Network (PCRN) South Asia (Chair: Dr Hina Jawaid, Secretary: Dr Rama Krishna Prasad) arranged an online session on: (i) Leadership & Governance Training For Family Medicine Residents: Lessons from South Africa by Dr Klaus Von Pressentin, Associate Professor & Head Division of Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday 24th June 2023.

The main take home message of this session was the family physicians to act as agents of change and must be included in District Health Management to improve district health indicators of the country.

(II)- A lecture on “Importance of Research in General Practice in a conference in Lahore on 21st May 2023.

(III)- A presentation on TB diagnosis, management and prevention for Family Physicians in a local institution on 9th June 2023.

3- Case- based discussions in Family Medicine, are on-going online educational activities held on 2nd June then 9th June 2023 by the department of Family Medicine at University of Health Sciences Lahore, Pakistan. These sessions provide a platform for practicing general practitioners (GPs) and trainees to discuss complex cases and difficulties in consultations or patient management.

4- A good number of practicing family physicians are regularly contributing in print media. Newspaper columns by Family Physicians Dr Hina Jawaid, Dr Abdul Jalil Khan, Dr Naseem Amin Dhedhi and Dr Naureen Kazim are as follows: 1- Providing Healthcare Cover - Universal Health Coverage: are we heading in the right direction? published 18th June 2023 2- Managing Measles 3- Typhoid Troubles 4- Understanding Monkey Pox 5- The Vital Vitamin

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In this issue of the WONCA South Asia Report, we highlight two important policy engagements by the Academy of Family Physicians of India (AFPI) held recently in Hyderabad, India.

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WONCA SOUTH ASIA FUTURE OF FAMILY MEDICINE IN TELUGU STATES: RELEVANCE OF STATE POLICIES AND POSSIBILITIES OF QUALITY MEDICAL EDUCATION Moderator: Dr. V. Sreenivas, Dean, College of Family Physicians of India, Academy of Family Physicians of India (AFPI) Panelists: Dr. Santosh Kumar Kraleti, Member, National Medical Commission, India Dr. Raman Kumar, Family Medicine Physician & National President, Academy of Family Physicians of India (AFPI) Dr. Raghu Ram, OBE, Renowned Surgeon, Padma Shri Awardee, and B. C. Roy Awardee Dr. Malleswaramma, Family Medicine Physician & Deputy Civil Surgeon, Community Health Centre, Vempalli, YSR District, Andhra Pradesh

WONCA NEWS In Andhra Pradesh, the government recently launched the Family doctor programme. This is a positive, unique and first of its kind initiative at scale in independent India. The government has recruited more than 1000 MBBS level doctors to implement this family doctor programme. While the government's focus is on health, the way the policy is being translated into practice needs to be reexamined. The major caveat with this programme is that the doctors recruited have neither studied or achieved accreditation in family medicine nor undergone any training in family medicine. It is observed that without scientific training, it is futile to implement family medicine and treat patients across the districts of the state.Thus it is feared that the state's health initiatives may become counterproductive, inadequately people-centric, and fail to stem the soaring out of pocket expenditure on health that is both marginalizing people and pushing families into poverty.

Introduction: Recently, the two Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have introduced different policies for citizens' health and wellness.

In Telangana state, demonstrating its commitment to the people, has launched National Health Mission (NHM) initiatives in the areas of reproductive and child health, institutional deliveries, introduction of new childhood vaccines, and the opening of several new public sector medical colleges, one in each district, and the opening of Basthi (settlement) dawakanas and Palle (Village) dawakanas in a few districts, among other things. However, some challenges and misdirections are also noted such as unnecessarily prioritizing the acquisition and construction of physical infrastructure (such as multi-storeyed healthcare buildings) and a relative inattention to human resources.

Without enough medical professionals, such as doctors and nurses, these initiatives, while laudable, are nonetheless somewhat poor and insignificant. A large focus on investing public funds in high-rise hospital structures is often believed to be counterproductive and unrelated to the immediate requirements of people because people's health requires rapid attention and care.

Against the above backdrop, the Moderator Dr V. Sreenivas, Dean Academics AFPI, posed two questions to the panelists regarding: 1) The purposefulness of the newly proposed Family doctor programme of Andhra Pradesh, a unique first of its kind programme in independent India, which is employing MBBS doctors who have not been trained in Family Medicine; and 2) The employment

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prospects of about 8500 MBBS doctors who will be graduating soon in Telangana, and the quality of medical education with regard to their preparedness and skills to provide competent primary care.

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WONCA SOUTH ASIA Dr K Santosh Kumar, NMC member from Telangana, emphasized the training of the faculty of all disciplines, as well as the training of the family doctors who are employed in Andhra Pradesh, and explained the successes of the US in promoting Family Medicine as a distinct clinical speciality. He also suggested an exclusive round table conference with the NMC members to discuss the prospects of Family medicine in India be organized. He extended his full support to the cause of Family medicine.

Dr. Raghuram, a renowned Oncologist, cited the experience of the NHS in the UK, and explained how the general practitioners are providing health care services in a significant way. He criticized the present specialist driven health care system in India. He upheld the role of the family physician as the gatekeeper and the first contact in the health care delivery. He stressed the need for special training to be given to the MBBS doctors, so that they can render comprehensive, continuous and coordinated care.

Dr. Raman Kumar, AFPI National President, explained the need for building robust Family medicine services to improve the health care of India. This included the introduction of Family medicine into the undergraduate MBBS curriculum, on par with all the basic subjects, and thus preparing the future doctors to tackle diseases with a sound base of Family medicine. He also focussed on the need to create Family medicine departments at the undergraduate level and also starting Family medicine post graduate courses in all medical colleges. Only then can Family medicine can be recognised as a speciality with a broader base. He brought to the notice of the panelists that he had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in this context, and that this struggle will have to go forward until the goal is reached.

Dr Malleswaramma, Deputy Civil Surgeon, CHC from Andhra Pradesh, narrated her experiences in rendering specialized Family Medicine care in the Community health center (CHC) setting as a family physician, how she diagnoses complex diseases with her family medicine PG training, how she outnumbered the cases of tubectomies and C-sections of all other specialists of her area,

WONCA NEWS and how she conducted various procedures.

But even after her NMC recognised PG qualification in Family medicine, she is not given her due promotion as a specialist. She said that this should be corrected.

Additional themes and issues that came to light during the panel discussion are listed below.

Is this huge spending necessary when the conditions of PHCs and CHCs are appalling?

What should be the government’s priority in the context of sustainable development goals planned to be achieved by 2030?

Current Health Policies and Practices

What lessons the governments have learnt from COVID 19 experiences? How have these lessons been incorporated into the design and implementation of the current policies?

Hundreds/thousands of medical students will graduate soon from the newly established medical colleges that are currently very poor in terms of infrastructure and having quality doctors and professional nurses.

Status of Medical Education

In such a case how do we ensure the quality of medical education and also their employability?

Many countries in the world have a family medicine residency programme. Only after completing three years of rigorous competencybased training, they start functioning as family physicians, family doctors, general practitioners and primary care physicians.

Quality and people centric Family Medicine

When this is a worldwide experience, why are we failing to learn from the above?

In Telangana, due to restrictive rules of the National Board of examinations, various institutions like Apollo, Yashoda, KIMS, Care, Duddu Shehwar and DDH haven’t reapplied for accreditation of DNB Family Medicine courses.

Involvement of Regulatory Bodies

As a result, currently, only one institute - Kamineni hospital is offering the DNB programme, while in Andhra Pradesh (AP) - only Puttaparthi, Bathalapalli and Nandhyal institutes are offering DNB Family Medicine and NRI Guntur are offering MD Family Medicine.

Participation of people, doctors, nurses, and other professionals in policy formulation.

What are gaps between State health policies and real life conditions of people?

With regard to DNB and MD Family Medicine courses the situation is not encouraging. Though the NBE started a 2 year regular course - Diploma in Family Medicine (DipFM), Telangana does not even have a single seat yet.

Future of Medical Education and Family Health

In such a situation, how do we address basic needs of people and establish standard medical education and deliver quality health care for people?

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WONCA SOUTH ASIA After these thorough discussions, Dr Sreenivas concluded that the perspective of giving competency based extra training in Family medicine to the MBBS doctors, before they can cater to the needs of the community as family doctors, has been stated by all the panelists. Family medicine specialists must be recruited as specialists into the primary and secondary levels of the health care system. Thousands of MBBS graduates coming out of Telangana medical colleges must be given the opportunity to pursue DFM and DNB/MD Family medicine courses and subsequently recruited into the public health system at various levels. All the panelists felt the need to increase the investments in primary care.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY HONORABLE FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA (CJI) SHRI N. V. RAMANA (FULL TEXT OF SPEECH) Read on our website the full text of the inaugural address delivered by Shri Justice N V Ramana, former Chief Justice of India at the two-day first joint conference of Academy of Family Physicians of India (AFPI) of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

WONCA NEWS TWO STUDIES CELEBRATING AND DOCUMENTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PIONEERING FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIANS IN ESTABLISHING FAMILY MEDICINE IN SOUTHERN INDIA PUBLISHED IN PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH Around the world, countries are introducing family medicine to strengthen primary health care, however, the process has been slow.

Understanding the implementation of family medicine in a national context is complex but critical to uncovering what worked, the challenges faced, and how the process can be improved.

The first study explored how family medicine was implemented in India and how early cohort family physicians supported the field’s emergence. In this qualitative descriptive study, several family physicians who were among the first in India and recognized as pioneers, were interviewed.

The methodology included using Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation Theory to describe and understand the roles of family physicians, as innovators and early adopters, in the process of implementation.

Additionally, Greenhalgh’s Model of Diffusion in Service Organizations was applied to identify barriers and enablers to family medicine implementation.

This research identified multiple mechanisms by which pioneering family physicians supported the implementation of family medicine in India. Notably, the study showed that pioneering FPs were: a) innovators who developed the first family medicine training programs; b) early adopters willing to enter a new field and support spread as educators and mentors for future cohorts of family physicians; c) champions who developed professional organizations to bring together family physicians to learn from one another; and d) advocates who pushed the medical community, governments, and policymakers to recognize family medicine’s role in healthcare.

Facilitators for implementation included the supportive environment of academic institutions and the development of family medicine professional organizations.

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Barriers to implementation included the lack of government support and awareness of the field by society, and tension with subspecialties. The study concluded that, in India, the implementation of family medicine has primarily occurred through pioneering family physicians and supportive educational institutions. However, for family medicine to continue to grow and have the intended impacts on primary care, government and policymaker support are needed.

Citation and link: Gupta A, Prasad R, Abraham S, Nedungalaparambil NM, Bhattacharyya O, Landes M, et al. (2023) The emergence of family medicine in India–A qualitative descriptive study. PLOS Glob Public Health 3(5): e0001848. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.000184 8 In this qualitative descriptive study, the Contribution of Family Medicine to Strengthening Primary Health Care Framework was used to understand the potential mechanisms by which family medicine strengthens primary health care.

Iterative inductive techniques were used for analysis. This research identified and highlighted multiple mechanisms by which family physicians strengthen primary health care in India including: 1) By being skilled primary care providers themselves; 2) Supporting mid and low-level health care providers’ ongoing training and capacity building; 3) Developing relationships with specialists, ensure appropriate referral systems are in place; 4) When necessary, work with governments and organizations to access the essential resources needed to deliver care; 5) Motivating the workforce and change how care is delivered by ensuring providers’ skills match the needs of communities and engage communities as partners in healthcare delivery. These findings strongly support the need for investments in postgraduate training in family medicine and integrating family physicians into the primary care sector, particularly the public sector, could address health disparities.

Continue reading the full article here.

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A CALL FROM THE WONCA WP ON THE ENVIRONMENT We the family doctors, doctors and health professionals of the world call on world leaders to take urgent action to safeguard the health of global populations from the climate crisis.

Climate change is already having widespread impacts on human health. As frontline health workers we are increasingly responding to health emergencies triggered by the climate crisis. Yet in the face of increasing harm and suffering, new fossil fuel resources continue to be developed and greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.

If we are to have any chance of limiting warming to 1.5°C and halting the escalation of the climate health emergency, we must end the proliferation of fossil fuels.

The World Health Organization has called for a Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty and an end to fossil fuel subsidies. We therefore join these calls, and urge all Governments to adopt the following as urgent health interventions: • End expansion of any new fossil fuel infrastructure and production.

• Phase out existing production and use of fossil fuels.

• Remove fossil fuel subsidies and invest in renewable energy.

• Fast track a just transition that addresses the needs of individuals, communities and countries to move away from fossil fuel energy systems towards more diverse, resilient and inclusive economies powered by renewable energy.

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WONCA WP ON RURAL PRACTICE

RURAL ROAD TO HEALTH PODCAST: AMPLIFYING RURAL HEALTH VOICES Discover the Rural Road to Health Podcast, an emission created by Dr Veronika Rasic, Founding Rural Seeds Ambassador, EYFDMEURIPA Liaison and Member of EURIPA Executive Board, Rural WONCA Council Member.

Through conversations with rural clinicians, students, academics, community leaders and policy makers, the podcast it aims to gain insights into the current state of affairs in rural health globally.

RURAL ROAD TO HEALTH PODCAST: AMPLIFYING RURAL HEALTH VOICES At the beginning of 2023 I created the Rural Road to Health podcast. I wanted to find a way to promote and amplify the amazing work and innovation happening in rural communities around the world. The podcast focuses on rural health, rural health careers and rural communities globally. Through conversations with rural clinicians, students, academics, community leaders and policy makers it aims to gain insights into the current state of affairs in rural health globally and explore ideas that could help us move towards better access to health services for rural communities.

As the podcast develops, I hope to bring forward more stories of community led initiatives, as well as social, cultural, economic, and political factors that affect the health of rural communities.

I have been enjoying this podcasting journey and have learned so much from my rural guests. I hope that you too will be inspired by what you hear and share the world of rural health with your colleagues.

It was important to make this content free and accessible to a wide audience. The podcast format allows it to be accessed from multiple online platforms and accessed at a time that best suits the listener. It shares firsthand knowledge and experience from rural clinicians, innovation happening in rural communities and explores the policy environment shaping rural realities. I hope that the podcast will be a useful resource for those who are teaching tomorrow's rural clinicians, a source of support for those currently living and working in rural areas and a place to find unique insights for those involved in rural policymaking.

If any of you know of an innovative rural project or want to share your rural experience, please get in touch via ruralroadtohealth@gmail.com

To date I have interviewed guests from Ireland, Guyana, Australia, the British Virgin Islands, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Brazil. I greatly appreciate their time and willingness to share their stories and expertise.

Rural communities are diverse and there are many different people that are striving to improve healthcare outcomes for these communities. Through my engagement with Rural Seeds and Rural WONCA I have had the opportunity to meet many inspiring clinicians. For this reason, I started first by sharing the voices of the rural primary care team.

You can find more information about the podcast here: https://theruralroadtohealth.blog/podcast/ Listen to the podcast here: Libsyn Spotify Amazon Music Deezer Thank you for listening to the Rural Road to Health!

Dr Veronika Rasic Founding Rural Seeds Ambassador, EYFDMEURIPA Liaison and Member of EURIPA Executive Board, Rural WONCA Council Member.

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INTEGRATING CARE LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY PROGRAM The Integrating Care Leadership & Advocacy Program is an educational program delivered by the WONCA Working Party on Mental Health and WONCA YDM, in collaboration with The Farley Health Policy Centre (FHPC) in Colorado and the Columbia University. It is designed to equip motivated young family doctors who wish to enable practice transformation that integrates behavioural health care into routine primary care practice.

YDM YOUNG DOCTORS' MOVEMENTS

Following the success of the pilot in 2020, and to build the evidence for a grant application for a substantive five-year rolling program, it was decided to implement a second project with an independent evaluation, to assess feasibility of recruitment and acceptability of revised content and delivery.

Applications were called to select eight enthusiastic young family doctors practising in low- or middle- income countries (LMICs), to set up a virtual learning community to test our revised program. It was wonderful to see an overwhelming response not only from the LMICs, but also from high-income countries, reflecting the need of such a program.

The program is planned to be kicked off in the first week of August. The program will run for seven months with virtual meetings and interval homework assignments. There will be an initial survey of participants, including the declaration of a particular behavioural/mental health issue that they want to address in their local situation, and a brief assessment of their level of knowledge in advocacy skills. These young doctors will be mentored by faculty members for the project developed and undertaken by each learner in their own locality. The participants are offered e-versions of two valuable behavioural/mental health textbooks related to primary care in addition to an honorarium. Finally, a certificate of completion of the program carrying the WONCA seal and the marks of the FHPC at the University will be awarded to all eligible participants.

After a rigorous review, we are delighted to announce the following eight successful applicants.

MARIUM AHMED (PAKISTAN) BRUNEE DORSETT (CARIBBEAN) YURI DUTRA (BRAZIL) STEPHEN ENGMANN (GHANA) ETHYL GOLOSINDA (PHILIPPINES) CARMEN GUTIERREZ (MEXICO) MERCY WANJALA (KENYA) ZHANG YUANUAN (CHINA)

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THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FOR HEALTH SECURITY & SECURING HEALTH WONCA representatives will join the upcoming Primary Health Care International Conference. The event will be held on July 19-20, 2023, at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. Among the attendees from WONCA will be Dr Anna Stavdal, the President of WONCA, and WONCA CEO, Dr Harris Lygidakis. Joining them will be Dr Jeff Markuns, the Regional President for WONCA North America, and Prof. Jacqueline Ponzo, Regional President for WONCA Iberoamericana – CIMF.

" Individual health security is interconnected with global security. Stabilizing healthcare at the local level not only contributes to the stabilization of healthcare globally but is also imperative in achieving Health for All, the primary goal of our unified global efforts" Dr Anna Stavdal WONCA President

This conference marks an important milestone, taking place nearly five years after the Declaration of Astana, and will focus on advancing Primary Health Care as a priority for national health security and the wellbeing of people around the world, both in developed and developing countries.

The two-day meeting will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas and facilitating essential discussions. It aligns with the launch of the U.S. Secretary’s Primary Health Care Action Plan and NASEM's primary care advisory committee. Furthermore, the conference will explore the role of the United States in partnering with other developed countries to enhance primary health care worldwide and learn from the innovations implemented in various nations.

WONCA President, Dr Anna Stavdal, expressed her enthusiasm for advocating the significance of primary care in this event. Dr Stavdal underscored the importance of the "30 by 2030 Campaign," a global initiative launched by WONCA and its partners in 2020.

"I will promote the “30 by 2030 Campaign” launched by WONCA and partners in 2020: encouraging “the development, integration and implementation of vertical programmes, including disease-specific programmes, in the context of integrated primary health care.”.

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We are honored to engage in a valuable collaboration with esteemed partners for this important occasion, including the Panamerican Health Organization (PAHO), the American Board of Family Medicine Foundation, the Commonwealth Fund, Center for Professionalism and Value in Health Care, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), and Resolve to Save Lives.

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WONCA PAST PRESIDENT, PROF. KIDD TO LEAD UNSW'S NEW CENTRE FOR FUTURE HEALTH SYSTEMS

With information of www.unsw.edu.au Read the complete article here.

Scientia Professor Vlado Perkovic, Dean of UNSW Medicine & Health and Acting Provost – Faculties, has announced Professor Michael Kidd AO as the inaugural director of the new Centre for Future Health Systems, which is being established to promote sustainable, equitable, and person-centred health care for all people in Australia.

As part of the role, and through a partnership with The University of Oxford, he will also be appointed as Professor of Global Primary Care and Future Health Systems at that University.

Prof. Kidd joins UNSW from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, where he has served since February 2020 as Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Principal Medical Advisor, with involvement in the development and implementation of

the nation’s primary care response to COVID19, the rapid implementation of telehealth to the whole population, and many other initiatives. Before returning to Australia at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was based in Canada where he was the Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Family Medicine and Primary Care, Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, and Senior Innovation Fellow with Canada’s Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care.

In WONCA, Prof Kidd served as President from 2013-2016. Before, he was elected as Member-at-Large of the WONCA world executive, in 2004, and in 2007, when he also served as WONCA Honorary Treasurer, from 2007-2010; as WONCA liaison person to the World Health Organization, from 2005-2010; and as chair of the WONCA Working Party on Education, from 2005-2010.

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A long serving consultant with the World Health Organization, and also past president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Prof. Kidd has earned global recognition as an authority in primary health care. His extensive professional experience spans over 35 years, encompassing the practice of general medicine in diverse settings, including urban, rural, and remote locations in Australia and overseas.

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ACTIVITIES REPORT In this WONCA News edition, we would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation to all our member organizations, colleagues, family doctors, primary care professionals and to our global family, for joining us in celebrating World Family Doctor Day! Your contributions and collaborations made this day truly extraordinary.

From engaging webinars that expanded knowledge to photos, collective activities, and exciting events that brought communities together, each initiative added a special touch to this celebration. Thank you for being part of this edition and for your continuous support in promoting the importance of family doctors and primary health care worldwide.

WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY A Campaign Created by

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World Family Doctor Day (WFDD), which took place on May 19, is a special occasion to shine a spotlight on the important role and contributions of family doctors and primary care teams in healthcare systems all over the world.

Since its declaration by WONCA in 2010, WFDD has become an annual celebration that recognizes the central role of family doctors in delivering personal, comprehensive, and continuous health care to patients. On May 19, we honoured and appreciated the tireless efforts of family doctors and primary care teams in improving healthcare outcomes and creating healthier communities worldwide. This year's theme was:

FAMILY DOCTORS: THE HEART OF HEALTHCARE

This year's campaign introduced three exciting new elements. First, we introduced a brand-new logo that exudes a minimalist and modern design, incorporating essential descriptive elements of our celebration. The public's response to it was fantastic, and it and will undoubtedly remain a lasting symbol of this celebration in the years to come.

The second addition to this year's campaign was the creation of our dedicated official website for World Family Doctor Day. The one-stop hub packed all the information about the campaign, including our thematic pillars and resources to fully participate in our campaign. The website has already received over 7600 visits and generated nearly 12,000 page views.

WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY A Campaign Created by

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To make this year’s journey even smoother, we made our WFDD Toolkit available on a new Trello board, with all the essentials to join the campaign and customize communications to suit users’ needs. From thematic pillars and key messages to eyecatching social media banners, Zoom backgrounds, and even a handy introductory video that helped make the most of everything that's was available.

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Your support to WONCA makes a significant impact. Each donation plays a vital role in enabling us to organize impactful initiatives such as World Family Doctor Day. By contributing, you help us foster greater awareness and recognition for the invaluable work carried out by family doctors on a daily basis.

Help us give family doctors a global voice donate to WONCA today!

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GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS Together, we have showcased the vital role of family doctors and the impact they have on individuals and communities. Below you will find some of the activities carried out around the world. While it's not possible to include every activity in this report, please know that we are sincerely thankful for each and every message received through our form and social media platforms.

Television show by SOFPON, Enugu to celebrate WFDD

WONCA AFRICA REGION World Family Doctor Day was celebrated across several countries in the WONCA Africa Region. In Nigeria, the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (Enugu Chapter) utilized both television and radio platforms to generate awareness about the role of family doctors, their societal benefits, and their achievements in the Nigerian healthcare sector. Meanwhile, Kaduna State University organized a medical outreach program, consisting of medical screenings and lectures highlighting the significance of periodic medical evaluations.

In Liberia, the Society of Family Physicians of Liberia observed the day in five out of the fifteen counties where family doctors hold leadership positions, such as Hospital Medical Directors and County Health Directors. Their activities encompassed a radio talk show discussing various health conditions like hypertension and type II diabetes, along with offering free blood pressure and blood glucose checks, voluntary HIV counselling, testing, and parades on principal streets.

SOFPOL WFFD 2023

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WONCA ASIA PACIFIC REGION World Family Doctor Day was celebrated with enthusiasm and dedication across countries in the Aisa Pacific Region In Malaysia, the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia (AFPM) organized a grand celebration attended by distinguished guests, including the Royal Patron, HRH Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir. The event featured a public forum on Public-Private Primary Care Partnerships, shedding light on bridging the gap between public and private healthcare sectors. The AFPM Chairman, Dr. Kaviayarasan, discussed the role and importance of GP Specialists and FMS pathway, while Dr. Suriani Sulaiman from the Family Medicine Specialist Association provided an overview of family medicine. Additionally, activities such as a children's drawing competition, free health screenings for osteoporosis, and booth activities on occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and hospice were conducted, highlighting the multidimensional approach of family medicine.

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The Chinese Taipei Association of Family Medicine (CTAFM) in Taiwan dedicated its celebrations to the theme "Family Doctors: The Heart of Healthcare”, with a poster campaign, published a special issue on family doctors' invaluable realm, and organized a celebratory dinner to express gratitude for the long-term dedication of doctors. The initiatives aimed to promote health literacy, disease prevention, and the trusted role of family physicians in providing holistic care.

01-519 WFDD-CTAFM member group photo (From left to right): Dr. Cheng-Kuo Huang (CTAFM Vice President), Dr. Shao-Yi Cheng (Director, Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital), Dr. Ya-An Liu (Representative of CTAFM Young Doctor), Dr. Brian Chang (WONCA Asia Pacific Regional President-Elect), Dr. Tai-Yuan Chiu (Legislator), Dr. Shinn-Jang Hwang (CTAFM President), Dr. Long-Teng Lee (CTAFM Vice President) and Dr. Wen-Jung Sun (CTAFM Secretary General) 02-519 WFDD series activities of CTAFM Left CTAFM World Family Doctor Day 2023 celebration poster Right Consumer Report Special Issue on Family Physician

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1. AFPM Opening Ceremony 2. The AFPM Organizing Committee

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In Beijing, China, the Chinese Society of General Practice organized various activities in collaboration with associations and colleges to commemorate World Family Doctor Day. The event promoted the concept of guaranteeing contracts and guarding health, highlighting the importance of contracted services by family doctors. The activities included an outdoor walking event between family doctors and more than 1,000 contracted residents, a symbolic pledge by Professor Chi Chunhua on behalf of family doctors, and a focus on education, experience, and action to enhance health concepts among participants. WONCA Past President, Dr Donald Li , and WONCA President, Dr Anna Stavdal, extended their sincere greetings to Chinese family doctors.

The General Practice Branch of Cross-Strait Medicine Exchange Association also share their activities. The independent theme of this year's in China was 'Signing Up to Share Health'. The three WONCA member organizations in China collaborated to organize a range of exciting activities, including power walks and carnivals.

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The World Organization of Family Doctors sent a video of their wishes

Prof Chi Chunhua, chairman of the Chinese Society of General Practice, took the oath at the opening ceremony

The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP) joined hands with the Hong Kong Health Bureau to hold the Family Doctor Promotion Day, coinciding with World Family Doctor Day. The event aimed to promote disease prevention, enhance the role of family doctors, and recognize their contributions in addressing public health crises. Stakeholders from the public and private healthcare sectors, patient group leaders, and representatives from health authorities attended the event, which emphasized the significance of primary healthcare and the crucial role of family doctors.

Opening remarks made by Wonca President Dr Anna Stavdal.

Secretary for Health, Prof Chong-mau LO introduced the role of Family Doctors in the primary healthcare setting.

Opening remarks made by (from left to right)Dr Libby LEE, Under Secretary for Health, HKSAR China; Dr David CHAO, President of HKCFP; Dr Fei-chau PANG, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, HKSAR China

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In the Philippines, family doctors (Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center) organized an outreach program in underserved communities. The program included medical consultations, screenings for common illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, and nutritional screenings for children. They also incorporated fun activities, such as a poster-making contest embodying Filipino family values. The event aimed to raise awareness, provide medical services, and promote the role of family doctors as gatekeepers of health.

In Mongolia, the Mongolian Association of Family Medicine Specialists (MAFMS) conducted various activities under the theme "Healthy Body - Happy Life" and "Heart of Healthcare." They focused on reducing noncommunicable diseases and organized events for health assessments, exercise education, and healthy eating guidance. The MAFMS also recognized the contributions of family doctors through awards, art festivals, concerts, the national research conference for family medicine and primary care training sessions.

Family doctors and nurses organized an Art Festival and Concert in Mongolia

More than 500 people in Ulaanbaatar and more than 1200 people in local areas participated in the activities

Representatives of the Department of Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health

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Various organizations enthusiastically embraced the World Family Doctor Day campaign, employing the power of social media to amplify their efforts.

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By utilizing platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Youtube, these organizations effectively showcased their activities, captivating a broader audience and spreading awareness about the campaign.

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Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Dr Sam Murton, President of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners shared a video on social media to celebrate the special place family doctors hold at the heart of healthcare. They also featured the inspiring story of Tim and Richard, a father and son who are both family doctors with a combined experience of 75 years. This personal account showcased the dedication and commitment of family doctors in New Zealand and their impact on patients' lives.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), host of the upcoming WONCA World Conference, actively supported the campaign by sharing several messages on social media. In an interview with newsGP, Dr Nicole Higgins, the President of RACGP, emphasized the significance of World Family Doctor Day in acknowledging the profound influence that GPs have on their communities. Dr Higgins described GPs as the cornerstone of Australia's healthcare system. To delve deeper into the interview, you can read the complete article here.

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WONCA EAST MEDITERRANEAN REGION WFDD2023 was celebrated across the region, emphasizing the importance of family practice in healthcare.

The World Health Organization's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (WHO EMRO) released a statement urging countries to implement family medicine.

The president of WONCA EMR sent a letter congratulating family physicians in the region.

In Jordan, the Jordan Society of Family Medicine (JSFM) organized a scientific activity at Kempinski Amman Hotel, focusing on "Rejuvenating Chronic Disease Management." Over 150 family doctor specialists and residents attended the event, which included 20 presentations. JSFM also conducted a training workshop on IUD insertion and removal, receiving positive feedback.

Palestine contributed to a broadcast highlighting family practice's significance, while in Egypt, the Egyptian Functional Medicine Association (EFMA) organized a scientific day discussing campaign pillars and conditions like post-void syndrome, psoriasis, and breastfeeding. In Iraq, the Minister of Health welcomed delegates from the Iraqi Family Medicine Society, acknowledging World Family Doctors Day.

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In addition to Morocco and Iran, numerous other countries actively engaged in celebrating World Family Doctor Day by utilizing social networks to showcase their activities and events.

Celebrations in Morocco

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Celebrations in Iran

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WONCA EUROPE REGION In Europe, various events were organized in different countries to celebrate World Family Doctor Day. In Ukraine, Prof. Dr Victoria Tkachenko organized a seminar for primary care doctors, focusing on the theme "Family Doctors: The Heart of Healthcare." The seminar included presentations on primary care for atrial fibrillation and awarded Certificates of Honor to 45 doctors.

In Macedonia, the 5th Congress on Noninfective Chronic Disease in Post-COVID Pandemic and the 25th Symposium of Family Medicine on Urgent Conditions in Family Medicine were held. European professors shared their experiences in treating chronic diseases during the pandemic. Balloons with messages to health authorities for improved primary healthcare were released.

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In Spain, the semFYC (Sociedad Española de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria) commemorated the 40th anniversary of the creation of the society. A documentary highlighting the profession of family and community medicine was shown, followed by a debate. The Minister of Health, José Miñones expressed gratitude for the ethical and social commitment of family doctors and emphasized the importance of strengthening public healthcare. Throughout the hour-long program, various family doctors explain their experiences in the practice of medicine.

SemFYC also released a video and multiple social media posts supporting #WFDD2023 campaign.

In Portugal, the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine (APMGF) celebrated World Family Doctor Day through several initiatives.

The association inaugurated its new regional headquarters, organized a commemorative session, participated in a special debate on family medicine, and recognized the contributions of family doctors by sending them a children's book.

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In Slovenia, a press conference was held to celebrate World Family Doctor Day. Speakers from different perspectives, including Mr. Peter Črnilogar, the mayor of Borovnica; Mr. Gregor Cuzak, the secretary general of patient organizations in Slovenia; Ms. Julija Šter, a young specialist in FP/GP; and Dr Rok Ravnikar, President of the Committee of Primary Care in the Medical Chamber of Slovenia. Media coverage followed the event, and a flyer was published to encourage patient cooperation in managing medical prescriptions and appointments.

In Kyrgyzstan, the Public Association "Family Medicine without Borders" organized a conference focused on recognizing family medicine as a scientific specialty. The event included roundtable discussions, an Olympiad for residents, a plenary session, parallel symposia, a competition for young family medicine teachers, and a sports run for family doctors. The conference aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among healthcare professionals.

WONCA IBEROAMERICANA - CIMF Several countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Cuba, Colombia, Dominican Republic, and many others actively supported a social media campaign in celebration of World Family Doctor Day. Dr. Jacqueline Ponzo, the Regional President of WONCA Iberoamericana - CIMF, has sent a heartfelt video message to all family doctors in the region, emphasizing the utmost significance of their roles.

In her inspiring message, Dr. Ponzo acknowledges the pivotal position held by family doctors and expresses her deep appreciation for their dedicated service.

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In Brazil, in addition to supporting the World Family Doctor Day campaign on social networks with a video and graphics in Portuguese, Zeliete Zambon, the president of SBMFC (Brazilian Society of Family and Community Medicine), highlighted the advancements made in healthcare in Brazil and discussed the remaining challenges.

Read the complete interview with Dr Zeliete Zambon HERE.

WFDD 2023 from Brazil

In the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Society of Family and Community Medicine and doctors at the Dr Marcelino Vélez Santana Hospital celebrated with a commemorative brunch that fostered camaraderie and enthusiasm among colleagues.

WFDD 2023 in Dominican Republic

Venezuela's Falcón Chapter of Venezuelan Society of Family Medicine (SOVEMEFA) embraced the recommendations of WONCA and carried out a series of Instagram posts prior to World Family Doctor Day, promoting the work of their specialty. They also shared individual biographies of their members to showcase the broad range of activities performed by family doctors.

WFDD 2023 in Argentina

WFDD 2023 in Venezuela

WFDD 2023 in Argentina

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The Costa Rican Association of Specialists in Family and Community Medicine organized its own congress in honour of World Family Doctor Day, celebrating and recognizing the professionals in this beautiful field of medicine.

Celebrations in Costa Rica

Celebrations in Cuba

Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, and several other Latin American countries played an active role in endorsing a social media initiative in honor of World Family Doctor Day.

Celebrations in Bolivia

Social Media campaign in Colombia

Celebrations in Paraguay

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WONCA NORTH AMERICA REGION The College of Family Physicians of Canada actively participated in World Family Doctor Day through a comprehensive social media campaign. They developed custom graphics that were made available for download and engaged their board members to contribute captivating photos. Additionally, they created a toolkit containing sample social media posts, graphics, and a special video message from their CEO, who expressed appreciation for family physicians.

To amplify their message, the organization organized a media push, resulting in three interviews featuring their CEO. They adorned their website with World Family Doctor Day banners and sent an email to all staff, recognizing their hard work and dedication in celebration of the occasion. Furthermore, the College of Family Physicians of Canada reached out to its chapters nationwide, encouraging them to utilize the toolkit and join in honouring family physicians within their respective communities.

The American Board of Family Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) also participated in the campaign by sharing social media posts.

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SOUTH ASIA REGION In celebration of World Family Doctor Day, organizations in South Asia showcased their dedication to honouring family doctors and promoting primary healthcare.

In India, the Academy of Family Physicians of India collaborated with the Project Setu Foundation Trust to host a communitycentric medical camp. The camp aimed to address the medical needs of underserved populations while highlighting the essential role of family doctors in providing primary healthcare and overall well-being. Services provided included general medical checkups, preventive screenings for conditions like anaemia, diabetes, and thyroid disorders, as well as health education sessions.

Emphasizing knowledge empowerment and early detection, the camp encouraged community engagement and featured a video showcasing the activities of the Project Setu Foundation Trust.

Credit: Aiswarya Namboodiri

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In Nepal, the General Practice and Emergency Medicine Association of Nepal (GPEMAN) organized a walkathon and gathering of general practitioners (GPs) in Kathmandu. GPEMAN's executive team and GPs shared experiences and perspectives on practicing in various settings. The event highlighted the efficiency and effectiveness of GP-based primary healthcare, recognized its comprehensive and continuous care, and advocated for its development in Nepal.

GPEMAN expressed pride in championing GPbased primary healthcare and expressed eagerness to expand collaborations locally, regionally, and globally to advance global family medicine.

In Bangladesh, family doctors organized a day-long program in Dhaka, featuring various activities such as an opening ceremony, a keynote speech, a panel discussion on challenges faced by family doctors, health camps, interactive sessions, community outreach, and an award ceremony. The event emphasized the importance of family doctors in delivering quality healthcare, and participation certificates were distributed to foster support for these professionals.

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YOUNG DOCTORS’ MOVEMENTS The Young Doctor's Movements (YDM) actively participated in the World Family Doctor Day celebrations, contributing to the campaign through various activities on Social Media.

The YDM Committee prepared a special video highlighting the theme of "Family doctors, the heart of healthcare" and the campaign pillars based on the principles of family medicine.

The chairs and young doctors from all WONCA regions played a significant role in this collaborative effort. The video, featuring young family doctors and their patients, emphasized the core values of Family Medicine and the WFDD2023 pillars.

Additionally, the YDMs from all regions actively engaged in the social media campaign, supporting the dissemination of messages and using posters and photo frames, joining the production of the YDM video, and sharing reflections and a statement on their website.

YDM YOUNG DOCTORS' MOVEMENTS

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#WFDD2023 IN NUMBERS WFDD2023

4,823

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11,696 K

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WFDD Website Visits

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INFINITE Thanks!

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MALAYSIAN FAMILY MEDICINE SPECIALISTS' ASSOCIATION - 25TH FAMILY MEDICINE SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE The Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists Association (FMSA) is thrilled to extend a warm invitation to the 25th Family Medicine Scientific Conference (FMSC) 2023. The conference will take place from August 23rd to 26th, 2023, at the Mövenpick Hotel and Convention Centre KLIA in Sepang, Malaysia.

After a challenging two-year period due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 25th FMSC will mark their second physical conference, allowing participants to meet face-to-face once again. This milestone event promises an exceptional program featuring preconference workshops, engaging plenary sessions, enlightening symposiums, as well as oral and poster presentations.

The 25th FMSC promises to be an exceptional platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and professional development within the field of family medicine. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with fellow practitioners, exchange ideas, and gain insights that will empower them to deliver the highest standard of care to their patients.

For registration and further details about the 25th Family Medicine Scientific Conference (FMSC) 2023, please visit the official conference website at https://fmsconference.my/

Renowned experts from esteemed institutions have been invited as speakers, ensuring insightful discussions on various aspects of primary care, covering the entire spectrum from womb-to-tomb. Each session will embody the essence of “MIND, BODY, SOUL: A VOYAGE OF WELLNESS" integrating these elements into the conference's overarching theme. The topics have been carefully selected to provide the latest knowledge updates and shared experiences, inspiring attendees in their day-to-day clinical practice.

Dr. Nor Hazlin Binti Talib, President of the Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists Association (FMSA), shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming conference, stating, "We are delighted to welcome all our friends and colleagues to the 25th Family Medicine Scientific Conference. This event represents a significant milestone for us, as it signifies our return to physical conferences after a challenging period. We are confident that the FMSC 2023 will offer an enriching experience, enabling participants to enhance their understanding of primary care and rejuvenate their mind, body, and soul."

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BESROUR CENTRE LAUNCHES LEARNING MODULE: 'DISASTER PLANNING FOR FAMILY DOCTORS THE BESROUR CENTRE FOR GLOBAL FAMILY MEDICINE ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THE LEARNING MODULE “DISASTER PLANNING FOR COMMUNITY FAMILY PHYSICIANS

WHAT IS FM PIVOT? Discover the Besrour Centre for Global Family Medicine: FM Pivot Modules.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the largest and most rapid disruption to the practices and training of family physicians. It has revealed gaps in the capacity of our health care systems, but it has also led to a surge in resiliency, innovation, and gained experience as primary care providers and educators adapt to this new paradigm.

This FM Pivot educational initiative has been developed by a team of global Besrour Centre partners to help family physicians and family medicine educators prepare for similar challenges in the future within their own contexts.

Our module “Disaster Planning for Community Family Physicians” is now available for free. This online module aims to apply practical knowledge to improve the quality and efficiency of care during the pandemic.

Start this learning module here.

Series of five modules focus on global health emergency competencies with five themes.

Modules launched to date, available for free fmpivot.ca Finding Great Research Questions in Pandemics and Other Crises: An introduction for family medicine researchers Chronic Disease Management during the COVD-19 Pandemic Mental Health Tools for Family Physicians in a Post-COVID World Disaster Planning for Community Family Physicians Upcoming topic for 2023: • Virtual Education

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