WONCA News March 2024

VOL 50 | NUMBER 2

NEWS

2024

M A R C H T H I S

I S S U E

WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY

I N C L U D E S

2024 THEME ANNOUNCEMENT

WONCA NEWS

NEWS

WONCA PRESIDENT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR KAREN FLEGG (AUSTRALIA) EMAIL: PRESIDENT@WONCA.NET

CONTENT FROM THE PRESIDENT

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WP ON PLANETARY HEALTH

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WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY 2024

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COLLABORATIVE FUND UPDATE

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FIVE STAR DOCTOR AWARDS

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

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REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA ASIA PACIFIC DR. BRIAN CHANG (TAIWAN)

WONCA CONFERENCES

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REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA EAST MEDITERRANEAN DR ABDULAZIZ MAHMOOD NASSER AL-MAHREZI (OMAN)

WONCA WEBINARS

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ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

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PRESIDENT-ELECT DR VIVIANA MARTINEZ BIANCHI (US/ARGENTINA) WONCA IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT & WHO LIAISON DR ANNA STAVDAL (NORWAY) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE & HONORARY TREASURER DR STEVE MOWLE (UK) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE ADJ PROFESSOR KAREN PRICE (AUSTRALIA) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE DR MARÍA PILAR ASTIER PEÑA (SPAIN) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA AFRICA DR JANE FRANCES NAMATOVU (UGANDA)

REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA EUROPE PROF SHLOMO VINKER (ISRAEL) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA IBEROAMERICANACIMF DR DORA PATRICIA BERNAL OCAMPO (COLOMBIA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA NORTH AMERICA DR VICTOR K NG (CANADA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA SOUTH ASIA DR KANAPATHIPILLAI SRI RANJAN (SRI LANKA) YOUNG DOCTORS' REPRESENTATIVE DR CHAN YUEN CHING CHERYL (HONG KONG) 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 DIARMUID HAYES EMAIL: COMMUNICATIONS@WONCA.NET

WONCA NEWS

FROM THE PRESIDENT M A R C H 2 0 2 4

A S S O C P R O F K A R E N F L E G G WONCA PRESIDENT

WONCA Conferences Looking forward, looking back.

Photo: A Golden Anniversary celebrated in 2012 in Cebu, when not only women but the men (here their past presidents) wore gold.

It's time to start thinking of WONCA conferences again.

With some early bird registrations and abstract submissions closing soon, it's important to start thinking about attending a WONCA conference in 2024.

First coming up is the WONCA South Asian region conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It celebrates the golden 50th anniversary of the College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka

who are hosting their third WONCA region conference. So why not join them in their celebrations?

Why go to a WONCA conference?

FUN We had a fabulous time celebrating another Golden anniversary celebration, then of the Philippines Academy of Family Physicians in 3 conjunction with the WONCA Asia Pacific conference held in Cebu, The Philippines.

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LEARNING ABOUT OTHERS As a rural doctor I'll be going to our WONCA World Rural conference in Cape Town, South Africa, to hear about the working lives of my colleagues in other countries and the problems we share with our rurality. Called “Ubuntu”, it is a joint conference with the Network for Unity for Health (TUFH) and our Working Party on Rural Practice. It comes to one of the world's great tourist venues – Cape Town

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There's also a great four-day post conference tour visiting clinics, academic institutions and enjoying some great scenery. This will bring back memories of another WONCA Rural post conference tour in Tacloban, The Philippines. Our South African colleague and past chair of the WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice, Prof Ian Couper was caught on camera, in great spirits.

FRIENDSHIPS In 1998, I went to my first WONCA conference in Dublin, Ireland so this year’s WONCA Europe conference returning to Dublin, will bring back memories. That last conference was held in an unfinished conference centre (or was it a tent?), but I didn't notice the difficulties – for me it was such a fantastic experience.

WONCA for me has been about meeting colleagues, making connections and enjoying friendships. At that 1998 conference, I made friends with colleagues at who I still know today. Sharifa Sorayya Mahmoud Jamalullail, from Malaysia was one of them. In 1998 she was brave enough to stand next to a giant leprechaun for a photo! In Sydney 25 years later, she came to celebrate with me as I became WONCA President.

At the same time and pace, WONCA has grown from a small sort of ‘club’ into an international professional organization – the only global network for Family Doctors. The organization’s complexity has also increased as the realities of the different local contexts are integrated into its structure. Helping to bridge this diversity of contexts is that hallmark of Primary Care in general, and of Family Medicine in particular:

The services we deliver within the community are tailored to meet local needs.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Photo: Dr Ian Couper, then chair of ‘WONCA Rural’ enjoying the post conference tour in Tacloban, the Philippines in 2011.

Ireland’s National Holiday 17 March Photo: Sorayya Mahmoud with leprechaun in 1998 and with the President in Sydney 2023

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CULTURAL EXPERIENCES Learning about culture is another part of WONCA conferences so we do wonder what our WONCA Africa conference in Nairobi, Kenya, will bring in June. The theme is tantalising: “Drumming for change in Africa: Building Resilient Primary Healthcare Systems, A Focus on Innovations and Sustainability”.

An image of our Rural leaders in Africa is not at WONCA Africa conference but it’s such an iconic image I have to include it.

NETWORKING IN OUR HOME REGIONS Being from the Asia Pacific region, I have of course been to many of my own regional conferences, and it's certainly great seeing all my friends from our region again.

WONCA Asia Pacific conference is in Singapore, in August. Last year, back in June I had the pleasure of sharing a meal when I passed through Singapore, with my friends leading the College of Family Physicians Singapore (CFPS) conference – they’ve done a fantastic WONCA World conference before, and this will be fantastic as well!

Photo: Rural WONCA leaders invested as honorary chiefs in Calabar, Nigeria 2008: Roger Strasser (then from Canada), Ndifreke Udonwa (host), Ian Couper (South Africa), Victor Inem (Nigeria), Bruce Chater (Australia).

This year is packed with WONCA region events for everyone, why not try one out!

The full list of this year’s conferences are on the next page And if you really want to plan ahead, don’t forget our next world conference coming in September 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Photo: Dinner with CFPS VIP group (front right around table to front left) LOW Lien Teng, HOC chair; Suraj KUMAR, Vice President CFPS; WONG Tien Hua, CFPS President ; myself; Scientific Committee co-chairs Darren SEAH and Grace CHAN; and Jennifer Lau CFPS manager.

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A S S O C P R O F K A R E N F L E G G WONCA PRESIDENT

SAVE THE DATES

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WONCA NEWS

WONCA Conferences 2024 03 - 05 MAY 2024

WONCA South Asia Region Conference 2024 COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

05 - 08 JUNE 2024

8th WONCA Africa Region Conference 2024 NAIROBI, KENYA

21 - 24 AUGUST 2024

WONCA Asia Pacific Region Conference 2024 SINGAPORE

10 - 13 SEPTEMBER 2024

WONCA Rural - Ubuntu 2024 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

25 - 28 SEPTEMBER 2024

29th WONCA Europe Conference 2024 DUBLIN, IRELAND

OCTOBER 2024

WONCA East Mediterranean Conference 2024 LOCATION TBC

24 - 26 OCTOBER 2024

WONCA Iberoamerican - CIMF Region Conference 2024 PAMANA CITY, PANAMA

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TRANSFORMING FAMILY PRACTICE FOR A GREENER FUTURE HEALTHY PLANET, HEALTHY PEOPLE.

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CHAIR ELECT – WP ON PLANETARY HEALTH

WHAT’S IN A NAME! Presenting the WONCA Working Party (WP) on Planetary Health, then established in 2007 as the Special Interest Group (SIG) on the Environment. It has been an active SIG from the beginning and as a result was upgraded to the status of Working Party, in December, 2011.

An interesting email discussion among the members of the WP took place last July prompted by Alan, our provost and past chair. The discussion revolved around an update of the name of the WP according to the current context. The vision of the WP is ‘Healthy people, healthy communities and healthy ecosystems on a healthy planet’.

Many members highlighted that the name WP on the ‘Environment’ did not sufficiently cover the areas highlighted in the vision statement. It was a lively discussion where we saw a significant contribution from the members. While the dialogue was flourishing, the concepts such as ‘planetary health’, ‘one health’ and ‘eco health’ also came into the conversation where their definitions and pros and cons were critically discussed. The majority of the members felt that the word ‘planetary health’ is more appropriate.

The concept of planetary health has been developed by The Rockefeller FoundationLancet Commission on planetary health.

Planetary Health is defined as the health of human civilization and the state of the natural systems on which it depends. It acknowledges the inter-dependability of the humans and the eco systems for their wellbeing.

Photo: A meeting of the the then SIG on Environment in Cancun, Mexico, 2010.

Going with the majority’s decision, the WP forwarded the proposal of name change to the WONCA Executive Committee and the new name, WONCA Working Party on Planetary Health was approved in August 2023.

Despite the name change, we continue to keep the hummingbird in our logo unchanged which always reminds us of the obligation we have towards our planet and to do the best possible we can to mitigate climate change!

WATCH THE FABLE OF A HUMMINGBIRD WHO TRIED TO STOP A WILDFIRE

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WONCA PLANETARY HEALTH EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE EVENTS POLICY Among many achievements, compiling the ‘WONCA Planetary Health Equitable and Sustainable Event Policy’ was a major accomplishment of the WP in the last year.

Family doctors need to minimise their carbon footprint in their personal lives, at work, and across WONCA in order to address environmental sustainability.

Although WONCA could boast about having a long tradition of offering world-class events for family doctors, big events can have a significant carbon impact. Nonetheless, it is essential to have opportunities to network and meet family doctors from across the world, whether through virtual, hybrid, or inperson gatherings. It's critical to lessen the impact of these conferences and meetings on the environment, particularly when they take place in person. When it comes to social justice, high-income countries hosting events have a greater responsibility to ensure that they are conducted in an environmentally friendly manner. This is due to the fact that wealthy nations have historically made higher contributions to climate change, profited from the resulting economic growth,

and have had more resources to adopt sustainable practices.

When compiling the above policy document, the team considered different aspects of carbon emissions that take place in conferences and meetings and referred to many documents to make the policy document a comprehensive guide. This policy includes recommendations for sustainable practices in the areas of venue, accommodation, transportation, food and beverage, waste, material use and merchandise related to an event. It has also elaborated on the importance of carbon accounting and offsetting, monitoring the progress and reporting to the delegates/stakeholders and raising awareness on sustainability.

Its recommendations are simple and brief.

To make it further user-friendly, a ‘Checklist for Planetary Health Equitable and Sustainable Conference and Event Planning’ has been added at the end of the document.

The checklist has been prepared in such a way to make it equitable, where certain actions are expected to be undertaken in all settings (must do) with some optional items which are expected to be implemented especially by high-income countries. WONCA has started encouraging the regions to consider implementation of the sustainable event policy in regional conferences and events. It is intended to make it a part of the formal agreement of WONCA with the regions in organising the regional conferences from the year 2025 showing the commitment of WONCA to planetary health as a green organisation.

Read the WONCA Planetary Health Equitable and Sustainable Event Policy

Photo: Dr Catherine Pendrey (Australia) and other delegates on ‘Green Day’ at the WONCA World conference in Sydney, October 2023.

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WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY 2024: HEALTHY PLANET, HEALTHY PEOPLE. WONCA is getting ready to celebrate the World Family Doctor Day (WFDD) on 19th of May 2024 under the theme of ‘Healthy People - Healthy Planet’. This theme falls in line with WONCA President’s vision for the next two years, WONCA to be seen as a “Green leader” by our Member Organisations and other small international not-for-profit organisations – leading by example in green initiatives The WP on Planetary Health is delighted to contribute to the WFDD 2024 with an array of activities to make family doctors more sensitise about climate change and our commitments in planetary health care.

We invite all family doctors to join hands with the WONCA WP on Planetary Health in this journey by being role models and the change agents!

JOIN THE WP ON PLANETARY HEALTH

TIMELINE WONCA SYDNEY 2023

13 MARCH #WFDD2024 Theme Announcement on WONCA News

Campaign Announcement

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CAMPAIGN LAUNCH! APRIL - MAY A month for #WFDD2024 Awareness

WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY 19 MAY 2024 JULY

Activities Report WONCA NEWS

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DIGITAL HEALTH TRAINING FOR FAMILY DOCTORS WORLDWIDE A WONCA COLLABORATIVE FUND PROJECT

PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL FOR THE CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN

WONCA is excited to introduce the second Collaborative Fund project that aims to transform digital health training for general practitioners (GPs) and family doctors across the globe. As the demand on primary care services grows worldwide, the need for innovative solutions becomes more apparent. Digital health technologies stand at the forefront of these solutions, offering new ways to enhance care quality and sustainability.

However, the effectiveness of digital health in everyday practice depends heavily on our family doctors' ability to use these technologies. Current educational programs often lack comprehensive digital health training, leaving a noticeable gap in digital health literacy among practitioners.

Recognizing this, WONCA has embarked on a mission to bridge this gap through our latest project.

We are at a critical juncture in the evolution of primary care, and your support can make a significant difference. By contributing to our crowdfunding campaign, you are not just funding a project; you are investing in the future of healthcare. A future where digital health is an integral part of primary care, enhancing patient and doctor experiences alike.

We urge all family doctors to join us in this endeavour. Share our promotional material, spread the word, and let's together pave the way for a digitally proficient healthcare future. Your support is vital in making this vision a reality.

READ MORE, DONATE & SHARE: 11

LIKE & SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

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FIVE STAR DOCTOR AWARD WONCA REGIONAL FIVE STAR AWARD 2024 CALL FOR NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN We would like to invite your nominations for the WONCA Regional Five Star Award 2024.

WONCA’s award of Excellence in Health Care is called the Five Star Doctor Award.

A nominee must have the attributes of a 5-Star Doctor.

A nominee should be a practising family doctor and may also be involved in academic work.

A nominee must be a member of a WONCA Full Member Organisation/ Associate Member Organisation or Academic member or an Individual Direct member in their own right.

A nominee may be acknowledged for innovative or new services developed/ A nominee may work outside his or her region.

It can be awarded annually by each region.

Those who receive the Regional 5-Star Doctor will be considered automatically as candidates for the Global 5-Star Doctor Award, which is awarded biannually and will be announced in 2025 at the WONCA World Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, 2025.

Deadline for nominations is Monday 1 April 2024.

Nominations for the Award should be on the linked Nomination Form.

Got someone in mind who embodies the heart and soul of family medicine? Now's the time to shine a spotlight on their dedication!

Nominate your hero for the WONCA Regional Five Star Award 2024. Let's celebrate those making a real difference in our communities.

Don't miss the chance to give them the recognition they truly deserve. Click, nominate, and let's make heroes known!

ATTRIBUTES OF A FIVE STAR DOCTOR:

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A care provider who considers the patient as an integral part of a family and the community and provides a high standard of clinical care (excluding or diagnosing serious illness and injury, managing chronic disease and disability and provides personalised preventive care whilst building a trusting patient-doctor relationship; A decision maker who chooses which technologies to apply ethically and cost-effectively while enhancing the care that he or she provides; A communicator who is able to promote healthy life-styles by emphatic explanation, thereby empowering individuals and groups to enhance and protect their health;

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A community leader who has won the trust of the people among whom he or she works, who can reconcile individual and community health requirements and initiate action on behalf of the community;

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A team member who can work harmoniously with individuals and organisations, within and outside the health care system, to meet his or her patients and community's needs.

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We are proud to spotlight Dr. Suha Hamshari as the distinguished recipient of the 2023 WONCA Global Five Star Doctor Award. She graciously accepted her award through a heartfelt video message during the WONCA conference in Sydney, October 2023.

UNYIELDING DEDICATION AMIDST ADVERSITY

SUHA HAMSHARI VISIONARY FAMILY DOCTOR AND EDUCATOR

Head of the Palestinian Association of Family Medicine.

Assistant Professor at An-Najah National University, Nablus.

Dr. Hamshari's path to becoming a family doctor is a story of remarkable perseverance. Graduating from the only Family Medicine residency in the Occupied Territories of Palestine in 2015, her medical school journey was punctuated by the challenges of the heightened violence in her region. On occasions, the city of Nablus's lockdown forced her to resort to riding a donkey to attend her classes, illustrating her unwavering commitment to her education and future patients.

University. This clinic serves as a model for comprehensive primary healthcare, offering a range of services to patients of all ages. By integrating family medicine into the curriculum and providing hands-on training, Dr. Hamshari has contributed to the growth and recognition of this vital field in Palestine. Her efforts towards securing international medical education accreditation through TEPDAD highlight her commitment to elevating medical education standards in Palestine.

Dr. Suha Hamshari's visionary leadership led to the establishment of the first family medicine clinic at An-Najah National

roles in academia and clinic leadership. After completing her residency, she joined the residency faculty, playing a crucial role in

CHAMPIONING FAMILY MEDICINE AND A VISIONARY IN CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION EDUCATION AND PATIENT CARE Dr. Hamshari's contributions extend beyond her

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crafting the curriculum and coordinating a virtual tutoring program sponsored by the UK NGOs Foundation of Family Medicine for Palestine (FFMP) and Medical Aid to Palestinians (MAP).

This initiative underscores her dedication to enhancing the educational resources available to family medicine residents.

As a founding member of the Palestinian Association of Family Medicine (PAFM) in 2016, Dr. Hamshari has been a driving force behind organizing three international conferences and developing a continuing education program for family physicians in Palestine, including those in Gaza. Her leadership as the first female head of the association in the Palestinian general medical society marks a historic milestone for women in healthcare leadership roles.

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INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION FOR LOCAL IMPACT Dr. Hamshari's work is also characterised by her international collaborations, which have significantly contributed to the development of family medicine in Palestine. Partnering with British doctors, she has co-organized numerous workshops for medical faculty, residents, and students. Her partnership with a US Fulbright scholar from 2019 to 2022 facilitated faculty development and resulted in several published manuscripts on international collaboration in family medicine.

Dr. Hamshari represents the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) in WONCA's Organizational Equity Committee (OEC). Her role allows her to collaborate with international peers, sharing knowledge and advocating for the advancement of family medicine on a global scale. Additionally, her active involvement in the WONCA Working Party on Women in Family Medicine underscores her dedication to the

empowerment of women in healthcare. By championing women's rights and inclusion in the medical field, Dr. Hamshari inspires female doctors worldwide to break barriers and achieve excellence.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION FOR LOCAL IMPACT Dr. Hamshari's journey from navigating the challenges of medical education during a period of intense conflict to becoming a global advocate for family medicine is a testament to her resilience, expertise, and leadership. Her pursuit of a Master's degree in Medical Education at Dundee University, supported by a scholarship, further exemplifies her commitment to lifelong learning and advancement in her field.

WONCA proudly recognizes Dr. Suha Hamshari for her exceptional contributions to family medicine, medical education, and healthcare advocacy.

Her passion, leadership, and dedication continue to inspire and shape the future of healthcare in Palestine and beyond, embodying the true spirit of a WONCA Global Five Star Doctor.

WATCH DR. HAMSHARI’S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2024

Photos: Left, Marie Curie.

Right, Atai Omoruto, WONCA Global Five Star 2016 International Women's Day (IWD) is a day to celebrate and honour the achievements of women who have made a difference in the world through equity, justice, reproductive rights, and the fight against violence toward women. They have truly raised awareness of gender equity and significantly contributed to society.

If women are good managers at home, they can also be excellent managers elsewhere.

The United Nations theme for this International Women's Day is "Count Her In: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress."

This recognises the significant impact women can have on global progress. Have we realised the magnitude of a woman's contribution? Let’s look at some examples:

Marie Curie, a Polish-French physicist and chemist, discovered polonium and radium, pioneering the field of radioactivity. She was the first female professor at the Sorbonne University in Paris.

Savitribai Phule was one of the first female teachers in India and advocated for women’s education. She is the mother of Indian Feminism, built a well for the untouchables, and took care of child widows.

Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmental activist, founded the Green Belt Movement and was the first African woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.

Valentina Tereshkova (a Soviet Union astronaut) was the first woman to fly to space.

Malala Yousafzai (a Pakistani) fought for girl’s education in Taliban.

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Indra Nooyi (an Indian Business executive, and former CEO of PepsiCo) was among the first women to lead a global corporation of PepsiCo's size and influence, making significant contributions to its strategy, direction, and initiatives toward health and sustainability.

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Mother Teresa (an Albanian) cared for the poor and was the founder of the Missionaries of Charity.

Suha Hamshari (Palestine) is still catering to injured people in war zones and Atai Omoruto (Uganda) responded to the Ebola outbreak in Liberia.

There are many more women who have significantly impacted the world. All these women have shown the world that a woman can make a change in any field to improve the quality of life. Hence, gender equity in any field should be emphasised to have a safe and healthy environment. This will improve the quality of life and progress in the world.

WONCA EVENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2024

The Women's Health Special Interest Group of the European Young Family Doctors' Movement alos produced a video to mark the day.

Three regions of the WONCA Working Party of Women and Family Medicine (WWPWFM) held webinars to celebrate International Women’s Day 2024.

The Africa region conducted their webinar at 16:00 UTC on the 8th of March with the theme: “Empower, educate, heal: envisioning a future with equitable health access for all women”. The webinar was hosted by Dr Mercy Wanjala and featured an impressive lineup of inspiring speakers: Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu, MD, MBA, OGW, FCMA, Dr. Olajumoke Ibrahim, Consultant Family Physician, Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, WONCA President Elect, Prof. Clara Ladi Ejembi, Professor of Public Health, Dr. Patricia Elameyi Idoko, Consultant Family Physician.

The Iberoamericana region held their webinar at 10:00 UTC on the 9th of March 2024, themed “Health research with a gender perspective” or “investigación en salud con perspectiva de género”.

The South Asia Region hosted their webinar at 09:30 UTC on the 9th of March 2024, under the theme: “Do we maintain a work-life balance: as practising family physicians?”.

Let the WONCA Working Party of Women and Family Medicine be an example of women that will create equality, innovation, and transparency through their actions and efforts. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all female family doctors across the world for their contribution and dedication towards their practice, teaching, mentoring, and research to improve the life of the people.

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DR ELIZABETH REJI WWPWFM CHAIR

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WONCA WP ON RURAL PRACTICE

UBUNTU 2024

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. 10 - 14 SEPTEMBER 2024.

As the chair of WONCA Rural, I'm thrilled to invite you to the Ubuntu 2024 Conference, a landmark event in the world of rural health.

Ubuntu, a Zulu philosophy meaning "I am because we are," perfectly encapsulates the spirit of our gathering. This profound belief in the interconnectedness of all people is the cornerstone of our conference, emphasising that our strength and well-being in the field of rural health come from our unity and shared experiences.

This year, we're convening in the beautiful city of Cape Town, South Africa, from September 10th to 14th, in proud collaboration with The Network: Towards Unity for Health, as we did in Thunder Bay in 2012. It's a momentous return to South Africa, 27 years after our second rural health conference in Durban, where the Durban Declaration laid down our commitment to health for all rural people.

Photo: Keynote speaker at Ubuntu 2024 – Malin Fors.

She was a great hit at Rural Medicine Australia last year

Rural health conferences are exceptional opportunities for family doctors from rural areas to come together, share their unique stories, and enjoy a sense of community and camaraderie. The Ubuntu 2024 Conference is shaping up to be an unforgettable event, featuring insightful keynotes from renowned speakers like Malin Fors, the author of "Geographic Narcissism," and the inspiring John MacLeod oration by Dora Bernal, a dedicated rural doctor and academic from Colombia.

With abstract submissions closing on March 31st, I encourage you to secure your spot at this pioneering conference by registering now at https://ubuntu2024.com/. Early bird registration offers a discounted rate until March 31st, 2024, including access to keynote speeches, meals, social events, and the unique full-day "Conference on the Move."

Moreover, we're excited to introduce a "Conference on the Move," allowing participants to engage in discussions and learning in a dynamic setting, and a postconference tour through the stunning "Garden Route," showcasing rural teaching sites and the natural beauty of South Africa.

Join us at Ubuntu 2024 to celebrate the essence of rural health, foster connections, and collectively enhance the future of rural healthcare globally. We look forward to welcoming you to Cape Town for an enriching experience that honours our commitment to health for all rural people.

IMPORTANT DATES Abstract Submission deadline: 31 March 2024 Early Bird Registration deadline: 31 March 2024 Physical Registration deadline: 31 July 2024 Virtual Registration deadline: 18 August 2024 Conference Dates: 10 - 13 September 2024

SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT OR READ MORE ABOUT UBUNTU 2024:

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DR BRUCE CHATER CHAIR RURAL WONCA

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Ubuntu 2024 Official Podcast Available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcast

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YouTube

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EARLY REGISTRATION FEE AVAILABLE UNITL 15 MARCH

WONCA SOUTH ASIA REGION 2024 COLOMBO, SRI LANKA. 3 - 5 MAY 2024.

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REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR WONCA EUROPE CONFERENCE 2024 CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE! A HUNDRED THOUSAND WELCOMES!

The Irish College of General Practitioners invites you to join us in Dublin for the WONCA Europe 2024, an inspiring conference focusing on "The Changing Nature of Family Medicine - Cultivating the Future."

This event offers a unique platform to share expertise, experiences, and enthusiasm about the evolving landscape of general practice and family medicine.

Together, let's shape the future by engaging in vibrant discussions, exploring innovative ideas, and networking with peers.

25 - 28 SEPTEMBER 2024.

DUBLIN, IRELAND.

Register now to secure your place among family doctors and medical professionals from around the globe.

For more information visit: www.woncaeurope2024.org

Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to the future of family medicine!

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WONCA WEBINARS

ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AND PRIMARY HEALTHCARE

WP ON PLANETARY HEALTH & LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE AND TROPICAL MEDICINE To achieve good health and wellbeing we must address Climate Change. Primary health care is in a unique position to promote knowledge about, and behaviour change to, tackle climate change to improve both individual and planetary health. Primary Care also needs to do more to support the shift to net zero by integrating sustainability into practice.

In this seminar, the Working Party on Planetary Health have collaborated with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine’s Primary Health Care Interest Group to examine the different roles primary health care can and should play to protect the health of patients, communities and the planet.

Date: Thursday 14 March 2024 Time: 12:45 -13:45 UTC JOIN THE WEBINAR (NO REGISTRATION)

HUMAN FACTORS SCIENCE WEBINAR SERIES The WONCA Working Party on Quality and Safety successfully held its second webinar, featuring Dr. Christine Sinsky from the American Medical Association. Dr. Sinsky’s talk, "Creating a Manageable Cockpit for Clinicians - Fixing the Workplace, not the Worker," focused on improving healthcare environments to enhance care quality and clinician well-being. The session offered valuable insights and strategies for healthcare improvement. For those who missed it or wish to review the discussions, a recording is available. We encourage the WONCA community to watch this insightful session.

WATCH THE RECORDING

WATCH THE FIRST WEBINAR INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN FACTORS SCIENCE IN PRIMARY HEALTHCARE

Photo: Christine Sinsky MD Vice-President, Professional Satisfaction, American Medical Association

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MENTAL HEALTH AND PRIMARY CARE FROM A COMPLEX ADAPTIVE SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE WONCA SIG ON COMPLEXITIES IN HEALTH This webinar will discuss integrating mental health care into primary care, emphasizing patient-centered approaches in the U.S. and the challenges faced in Europe, particularly Slovenia, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the evolution from first-order (patient as the focus of care adaptations) to second-order (patient as a full partner in healthcare design) patient-centered care.

Speakers include experts in psychology, psychiatry, and psychotherapy, discussing their experiences and the importance of community-based multidisciplinary mental health services.

Miran Možina Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist Director and lecturer at the Sigmund Freud University Branch in Ljubljana Francesco Tramonti (Moderator) Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Istituto di Psicoterapia Relazionale, Pisa Alexander Blount Psychologist and Psychotherapist Professor Emeritus of Family Medicine at the University of Massachusets Medical School

Date: Monday 25 March 2024 Time: 21:00 UTC

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A MESSAGE FROM WONCA'S WHO LIAISON, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT ANNA STAVDAL

The WHO has recently released the "Guidance on scheduled child and adolescent wellcare visits," a resource now accessible on their website. This guidance, a product of collaboration between WHO, UNICEF, and various regions, offers a detailed framework for routine well-care visits. It's designed to assist healthcare providers in supporting the healthy growth and development of children and adolescents, while also aiding primary caregivers and families in fostering an environment conducive to their health and wellbeing.

The document outlines the necessity and goals of these visits, recommending a minimum of 17 scheduled interactions. It details the tasks to be performed during each visit, agespecific considerations, and strategies to leverage and augment current opportunities and resources.

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VIRTUAL EVENT - UNPAID & UNSAFE: THE REALITY OF FEMALE FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS Organized by CARE, the Frontline Health Workers Coalition, the Community Health Impact Coalition, and Women in Global Health, this session aims to bridge the gap between global political commitments and actual implementation at the country level. With an impressive lineup of speakers, the event promises to be an insightful and inspiring discussion on how we can collectively support and protect female health workers everywhere.

THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2024 12:00 TO 13:30 UTC

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THE BRIDGE PROJECT: CONNECTING YOUNG FAMILY DOCTORS ACROSS THE WORLD The European Young Family Doctors Movement (EYFDM) Bridge Project is now in its 3rd year! The Bridge Project is an opportunity for young family doctors from across the world to work together on a project of their choice.

The Bridge Project aims to connect young family doctors and encourage communication and collaboration.

The project allows you to work on a research or quality improvement project in an area you are interested in and present the results at the WONCA conference.

Previous projects have investigated diverse areas, including family medicine exchanges, prescribing, appointments, and comparing healthcare systems. Family medicine doctors from many different countries have participated and worked together on projects.

To get involved, you send an application explaining the area you are interested in completing your project in. This might be ‘elderly care’ or ‘safe prescribing’, it can be anything you are interested in!

The Bridge Project team will then match you to other family medicine doctors from around the world who are interested in a similar project. We will then send you details of your Bridge Project Group, and you can start working together. We suggest that you have online meetings about the project, but nothing is stopping you from meeting in person as a group to work on the project.

Ideas of what you could do might be comparing health care systems or prescribing processes, a quality improvement project in your clinics, or even a literature review. You might even be able to publish the work in a journal!

The main thing is that getting involved with the Bridge Project will help you connect with new colleagues from all over the world, and share learning and experiences.

TIMELINE Deadline for applications: 15th March 2024 Group formation: Beginning April Group Work: April – August Deadline for submission of work: 7th September 2024

APPLY NOW

Let’s build that bridge!

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