VOL 47 | NUMBER 6
NEWS
2021 J U L Y
WONCA PRESIDENT DR DONALD LI (HONG KONG, CHINA) EMAIL: PRESIDENT@WONCA.NET TWITTER: @WONCLI PRESIDENT-ELECT DR ANNA STAVDAL (NORWAY) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE & HONORARY TREASURER PROF VAL WASS (UK) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE & WHO LIAISON PERSON DR VIVIANA MARTINEZ- BIANCHI (USA/ARGENTINA) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE DR PRATYUSH KUMAR (INDIA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA AFRICA PROF SHABIR MOOSA (SOUTH AFRICA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA ASIA PACIFIC PROF MENG-CHIH LEE (TAIWAN) REGIONAL PRESIDENT WONCA EAST MEDITERRANEAN 2021 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 PROF MARVIN REID (JAMAICA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA SOUTH ASIA DR RAMAN KUMAR (INDIA) YOUNG DOCTOR REPRESENTATIVE DR ANA NUNES BARATA (PORTUGAL) 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 DR JULIEN ARTIGNY
CONTENT FROM THE PRESIDENT
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ONLINE WONCA WORLD CONFERENCE 2021
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FROM THE HEADQUARTERS
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FROM THE EDITOR
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MONTEGUT SCHOLAR AWARD
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74TH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY
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THE CAMPAIGN THE FOUR PILLARS WONCA MESSAGES JOINING HANDS FOR WFDD 2021 AROUND THE WORLD WFDD2021 IN SOCIAL MEDIA THANK YOU
WONCA REGIONS WONCA WP & SIG NEWS
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RURAL PRACTICE 18TH WONCA RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE MEET THE RURAL SEEDS AMBASSADORS 2021- 2023 MENTAL HEALTH MUSIC AND MENTAL HEALTH AGEING LINES: STORIES FROM CAREGIVERS AND ELDERLY PATIENTS
FEATURED DOCTOR
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WONCA CONFERENCES NEWS
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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
F R O M T H E
FROM THE PRESIDENT
P R E S I D E N T
In 2010 when we celebrated our first World Family Doctor Day we really did not realise how much the idea would resonate with our WONCA family around the world. Member Organisations and family medicine groups in many nations took the opportunity to reflect on the work of the family doctor and the primary care team who deliver quality care in communities. Some countries embraced the idea more than others or quicker than others – and provided colourful and uplifting photographs and posters for the rest of us. The enthusiasm for World Family Doctor Day has grown year on year – and this year’s WFFD has surpassed all the rest! It may be because all of us, doctors, teams and patients, are so weary of the pandemic; it may be because celebrations have been in short supply lately; it may be because we are so proud of how we and our colleagues have stepped up to the challenges of the pandemic; and it may be because there is a renewed sense of being part of a team, delivering the best possible primary care. Whatever the reason, this year’s engagement with WFDD has been fantastic.
We have heard many stories and have seen many pictures of how people celebrated our profession and our work. As many as we can fit are presented in our latest WONCA News, so please read and enjoy. And maybe get inspired for activities for WFDD next year! One of the big things we understand from the celebrations around WFDD is just how proud and pleased we should be to be part of our profession. That profession, which is rooted in our communities, trusted by our patients, providing care to our patients from birth through the whole life course, is the cornerstone of health systems. In some countries it is not recognised appropriately or integrated appropriately into the rest of the hospital-focused health system: those are the countries we need to support, to help them understand the health gains from access to quality co-ordinated comprehensive primary care. The goal of Universal Health Coverage is global: it is not selective. It is not intended just for high income countries or for low income countries but for all countries. It is not intended just for the global north or the global south. The Sustainable Development Goals which support UHC are already six years old, with a target date for achievement of 2030. If the goal of Universal Health Coverage is to be met for all of us, then all of us must take our part in making the achievement of that goal real. Our professional colleagues who are involved in the delivery of care, those involved in the planning of health services, those responsible for health care financing arrangements, development partners and national governments all have crucial roles to play.
DR DONALD LI WONCA PRESIDENT
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
Significant investment is needed to establish and to improve primary care systems across the world. Piecemeal development will not achieve the goal, especially when it is not supported by professional development of primary care team members. We need a quantum shift in emphasis towards creating the platform for delivering comprehensive primary care for everyone. We, as family doctors, must use our collective and individual voices to persuade, to convince, to influence and to show the way. The evidence is now widely available that health systems based on strong primary care are the most clinically effective and cost effective mechanism to improve the health of our populations, allowing them to be more productive.
I look forward to many future World Family Doctor Days. But the one I look forward to most of all is the one which celebrates the achievement of Universal Health Coverage. Imagine what a celebration we would have for that! Dr Donald Li, WONCA President
Español Français
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WONCA NEWS
FROM THE HEADQUARTERS
F R O M T H E
H E A D Q U A R T E R S In the previous issue of WONCA News, we announced that the World Conference will turn into a virtual one. It is very unfortunate that our global community will not be able to meet in person in Abu Dhabi. At the same time, we all acknowledge the efforts of the colleagues of the Emirates Family Medicine Society, as well as of the East Mediterranean Region, and share their disappointment. We know that the there is a growing need to share knowledge and experiences, especially those regarding the effect of the pandemic on family medicine, the patients, and health systems. The Host Organizing and Scientific Committees are working to develop an excellent programme, while employing technologies that can allow wider access. We would like to invite you to check the updated Conference website, which now includes revised information on different matters, such as registration, dates and sessions. In June, we also announced that the Meeting of the Council will be virtual this year: it will take place between 19 and 21 November 2021. In a few days, the focal points of contact of the Member Organizations will receive the forms of participation to the Council.
We are working closely with the Organizing Committee and partners to ensure accessibility, as well as optimal user experience. More information will be provided in the coming months. In addition to the World Conference, there are other meetings taking place these months. In July, the WONCA Europe Conference was broadcasting live from Amsterdam, while the WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice will be holding its 18th World Conference from Kampala. Furthermore, in a few weeks our colleagues from WONCA Iberoamericana will be holding their Regional Conference virtually from Brazil, which will also include the first Planetary Health Conference. Although I am sure that we all feel the need to meet in person and sit together in the same room— escaping from the seemingly endless number of Zoom calls and webinars—we all wish to congratulate our community for their perseverance to organise virtual events and to share knowledge during these most challenging circumstances.
Dr Harris Lygidakis, WONCA CEO
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WONCA NEWS
F R O M T H E
E D I T O R
WONCA NEWS JULY IS HERE!
This time we bring you a very special edition as we gathered all the activities, efforts and celebrations on the occasion of World Family Doctor Day 2021! This was my first World Family Doctor Day as WONCA Editor. I must confess that (virtually) witnessing the multiple activities of our members, countless expressions of support and hundreds of messages from family doctors, patients and colleagues around the world was a unique and extremely enriching experience. I am very proud to share these efforts with all our readers in this WONCA News for July!
ABOUT THIS ISSUE
In his column for July, WONCA President Dr Donald Li highlights the impact of World Family Doctor Day not only in the WONCA community but worldwide since the first time it was celebrated in 2010. Dr Li notes how this day has become the perfect opportunity to reflect and thank family doctors and primary care teams for their tireless work to achieve health for all!
In the From the Headquarters section, Dr Harris Lygidakis offers a quick update regarding the WONCA Conferences. This year the WONCA Europe 2021 virtually took place from Amsterdam, the Meeting of the Council and the WONCA World Conference 2021 will go fully virtual, and the 18th WONCA Rural Health Conference kicks off. In this edition, you can also learn more about WONCA Africa through the editorials of regional President, Professor Shabir Moosa; meet the new Rural Seeds Ambassadors 20212023; discover more about the musical project of our Working Party on Mental Health and their new song “Tone of Mind”; and read the latest entry of "Ageing Lines" from our WONCA Special Interest Group on Ageing and Health. You can also meet our Featured Doctor for this month, Dr Rocío García-Gutiérrez Gómez from Spain; and discover all the updates and the most recent announcements from the WONCA Family. This issue represents a special edition dedicated to promote and share the efforts of our colleagues and WONCA members around the world on the occasion of WFDD2021.
You will also find all the details about our campaign Building the Future with Family Doctors and all the activities and messages promoted during this campaign. We want to thank you all for being a part of the World Family Doctor Day 2021. It was not possible to include the countless expressions of support to Family Doctors and Primary Care teams around the world in one single edition, but rest assured that every effort was greatly appreciated! I hope you enjoy this issue, and please remember that you can drop me a line (or an article!) at editor@wonca.net.
Happy reading, and Stay Safe! Sincerely, Maria Dolores Zavala, WONCA Editor
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WONCA NEWS
MONTEGUT S C H O L A R
A W A R D
FIND MORE INFORMATION AND APPLY HERE.
MONTEGUT
SUPPORTED BY THE AMERICAN BOARD OF FAMILY MEDICINE FOUNDATION
We are pleased to announce that the application for the Montegut Global Scholar Program (MGSP), sponsored by the American Board of Family Medicine Foundation, is now open!
The Montegut Global Scholars Program (MGSP) was established by the ABFM-F in April 2010. It was named in honor of Alain Montegut, M.D., a member of the Board of Directors of the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) from 2005-2010 and whose career has been devoted to developing high quality family medicine practice internationally, especially in underserved and/or undeveloped countries.
The MGSP was established to foster international education, research, and collaboration in the specialty of family medicine. It will support the attendance of family physicians from Africa, Asia Pacific, East Mediterranean, Iberoamericana, North America, and South Asia Regions of WONCA to the virtual World Conference 2021. The MGSP will provide a scholarship for the selectees from Africa, Asia Pacific, East Mediterranean, Iberoamericana, North America, and South Asia Regions to attend the virtual WONCA World Conference 2021.
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WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY 2021
WONCA NEWS
Credit: Vasco da Gama Movement
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WONCA NEWS
THE CAMPAIGN
T H E C A M P A I G N
World Family Doctor Day (FDD) – 19th May - was first declared by WONCA in 2010 and it has become a day to highlight the role and contribution of family doctors and primary care teams in healthcare systems around the world. Every year, this celebration is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the central role of Family Doctors in the delivery of personal, comprehensive and continuing health care for all patients. It’s also a chance to celebrate the progress being made in family medicine and the special contributions of primary care teams globally.
Our 2021 theme was Building the Future with Family Doctors, aligned with the Year of the Health and Care Workers 2021 declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). For more than a decade, we have been witnessing all the celebrations, events and activities that our colleagues around the world have shared on collaborations, reports and photographs from many countries. All of them represent an essential part of the history and memory of the WONCA family, shown in multiple editions of our WONCA News.
Credit: Programa de Residência de Medicina de Família e Comunidade / Joinville - SC (PRMFC Joinville)
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WONCA NEWS
T H E F O U R P I L L A R S We officially launched the #WorldFamilyDoctorDay 2021 campaign on the 19 April, 2021, with the announcement of the theme Building the Future with Family Doctors.
t
s ctor Do
Build ing
y
We wish to highlight that family doctors working together with multidisciplinary teams of health and care professionals are key to strengthening health systems and delivering high quality and affordable care to all.
and Primary Care Teams!
s ctor Do
Build ing
y
t
ure with Fa m Fut il he
Family Doctors adopt a people-centred approach, provide ongoing support to patients and communities, and ensure continuity of care over lifetime. Patients are at the centre of this celebration.
and Patients!
s ctor Do
Build ing
y
t
ure with Fa m Fut il he
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, new technologies have emerged
as
fundamental
tools
for
healthcare
professionals to continue their mission.
and New Technologies!
s ctor Do
Build ing
y
t
ure with Fa m Fut il he
What are the building blocks that YOU consider key for the future? Get involved, raise your voice, share your activities and efforts, and contribute to building the future with family doctors!
and YOU!
THE 4 PILLARS
ure with Fa m Fut il he
This year’s theme was based on four fundamental pillars with key elements to move forward and overcome the challenges towards a better future.
The pillars were available in 4 languages: English, Spanish, French, and Chinese. PAGE 10
WONCA NEWS
W O N C A M E S S A G E S We released two videos: one with a message from WONCA President, Dr Donald Li, and a second one with an interview from WONCA President-Elect, Dr Anna Stavdal. Both videos highlighted the crucial role of Family Doctors and Primary Care teams in building a better and healthier future!
WONCA MESSAGES
To help tailor every communication and simplify all the advocacy efforts, in this 2021 edition we created a Media Kit with all the campaign elements. The graphic identity and messages of the “Building the Future with Family Doctors” campaign were present on the 19th of May worldwide, in multiple languages and creative formats!
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J O I N I N G F O R
H A N D S W F D D 2 0 2 1
: Kim Yu
The gesture was widely shared by thousands of people on social media. Doctors, primary care teams, colleagues, patients, and members of the WONCA family, joined our campaign by joining hands!
The impact was such that the hand gesture became an emblem of our 2021 campaign. dit
We invited everyone to join our campaign "Building the Future With Family Doctors" by posting pictures with a hand sign representing care and protection. The hand sign simulated building a house, a roof, a home, our future!
C re
JOINING HANDS
WONCA NEWS
Credit: residencia.lucarelli
Credit: rocio.3g
Credit: Philippine Academy of Family Physicians Cahayan Chapter
Credit: Dr Pratyush Kumar
Credit: Unidade de Cuidados de Saúde Personalizados de Vouzela
Credit: mfcjoinville
Credit: FEU-Nrmf Community and Family Medicine Department
Credit: Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia (AFPM)
Credit: dra.robertaw WONCA President, Dr Donald Li
WONCA President-elect, Dr Anna Stavdal
Credit: Val Wass
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WONCA NEWS
AROUND THE WORLD
A R O U N D
T H E W O R L D
Member Organizations from all the WONCA regions shared their efforts and activities on the occasion of World Family Doctor Day 2021.
WONCA AFRICA The Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), which celebrated with a virtual Zoom webinar with a good number of attendees and members across all geopolitical zones of Nigeria. According to Dr Oluwaseun Olusola, AGPMPNWONCA Liaison Officer, the webinar was anchored by Secretary-General of AGPMPN, Dr Ned Okoro. It also had the participation of the AGPMPN President, Amb. Dr Iyke Odo, who extended their congratulations to the WONCA President, Dr Donald Li and his team; WONCA Africa President, Prof Shabir Moosa, the members of the Executive Committee, and all family doctors at large. Continue reading more about this activity here. The Society of Family Physician of Nigeria (Cross-State Chapter) celebrated with a radio broadcast in two stations (Cross River Broadcasting Corporation and Sparkling FM) creating awareness on Building the Future with Family Doctors and emphasising the four pillars. The transmissions were followed by a hybrid conference (virtual and physical) with five speakers who
Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria
gave an overview of the four pillars of Primary Care. Dr Archibong Felix wrote that the "conference was well attended, and five credits on continuous development points were awarded to participants".
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AROUND THE WORLD
Society of Family Physician of Nigeria (Cross-State Chapter
WONCA NEWS
Society of Family Physician of Nigeria (Cross-State Chapter
For their part, the Association of Family Physicians of Uganda celebrated WFDD on 14th May 2021, with a one-day symposium that aimed to share experiences and activities to design a strategy to highlight family practice in Uganda.
General Secretary, Innocent Besigye, mentioned that they also awarded senior Family Doctors for their distinguished contribution to Family Practice in Uganda.
Association of Family Physicians of Uganda
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AROUND THE WORLD
WONCA NEWS
WONCA ASIA PACIFIC The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians celebrated World Family Doctor Day 2021 with a short video to recognise the outstanding contributions of Family Doctors in Hong Kong in the combat of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia (AFPM), the Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists Association (FMSA), the Rajakumar Movement (TRM) and the Organizing Committee of WFDD 2021 Malaysia shared a detailed report of their multiple activities for this important celebration, including weekly virtual educational and social programs, a Public Forum Who is Family Doctors? Family Doctors role in the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 Vaccine, a continuous professional development webinar on noncommunicable diseases, a motivational video, a virtual WFDD run, musical performances, and many other activities! Discover their full report here.
Hong Kong College of Family Physicians
From their part, the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners started World Family Doctor Day with a 5 am breakfast email and video to all their members from College President, Dr Sam Murton. They also shared videos on social media from well-known New Zealanders, such as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield. The footage was reshared many more times, making special mention of the doctors in their whanau, extending the message of gratitude to their teams.
Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield
Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia
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AROUND THE WORLD
The Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP) Tacloban City Chapter, celebrated WFDD2021 with the Tree Planting activity, also related to their campaign “60 Trees for PAFP’s 60th”, with the collaboration of their local chapter members and the chairman of the Environmental Protection Committee, Lory L. Ruetas, who also wrote: because of Covid19 lockdown, we could not plant the trees together in one location, but we encouraged people to plant at least two fruit trees in their backyard, garden, farm or any area before 19 May 2021.
WONCA NEWS
Philippine Academy of Family Physicians
WONCA EAST MEDITERRANEAN WHO Regional Director for Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, sent WONCA President, Dr Donald Li a support message on the occasion of World Family Doctor Day. You can read the message from Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari here. On his part, WONCA President Dr Donald Li answered with an appreciation note in which he highlighted the crucial role of family doctors and primary care teams and the perfect opportunity that the World Family Doctor Day represents to importance of health for all.
The image, based on the pillar of Building the Future with Family Doctors and Primary Care Teams, aimed to thank these professionals for their efforts. Under the pillar of Building the future with family doctor and you!, the EFMA conducted a virtual zoom to discuss the merits and demerits of COVID-19 Vaccination, a fruitful discussion with attendees from Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Egypt. Watch the session here.
The Egyptian Family Medicine Association designed a poster for family physicians and primary health care providers, while working wearing the personal protective equipment. Egyptian Family Medicine Association
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AROUND THE WORLD
WONCA NEWS
On their end, the Jordan society of Family Medicine (JSFM) celebrated WFDD with a presentation by JSFM Deputy President, Dr Oraib Alsmadi, on the role of Family Physicians during COVID 19 pandemic, and the building capacity of family physicians during the pandemic. Members of Jordan AlRazi YDD movement participated on this virtual discussion.
Jordan society of Family Medicine
WONCA EUROPE The Greek College of General Practitioners (GCGP) celebrated with Facebook and Instagram posts, a video and a newspaper article about the essential role of about the role of Family Doctors and interdisciplinary teams. The Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine (APMGF) was heavily invested, during World Family Doctor Day (WFDD) 2021, in creating public awareness about the importance of family doctors for the strengthening of health services and systems and for the well-being of citizens, especially during a pandemic. This was mainly done through press releases for mainstream and specialized media outlets. Elected officials of the National Board of APMGF were interviewed by TV news services and newspaper journalists regarding this subject.
Greek College of General Practitioners
The APMGF also organised the National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Young Doctors between May 19 and 21, to further bolster the landmark celebration. Discover more about their activities here.
Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine
Book “Happy Family Doctors… Why Not?”, written by Portuguese family doctor Alexandra Fernandes
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AROUND THE WORLD
WONCA NEWS
In Romania, the National Center for Studies in Family Medicine (CNSMF) used their official website and social media to post WFDD messages in Romanian. They also created a video and share it with their colleagues at the Business Association of Family Doctors, FNPMF. The Romanian Minister of Health, Dr Ioana Mihăilă, also recorded a video message for WFDD to thank family doctors, with key messages that included "Building the future with family doctors".
National Center for Studies in Family Medicine (CNSMF)
Romanian Minister of Health, Dr Ioana Mihăilă
On their part, the Turkish Association of Family Physicians (TAHUD) celebrated World Family Doctor Day, alongside a national festival called “Youth And Sports Day”, a special day dedicated to youth and sports set by Ataturk, the founder of Republic of Turkey.
Inspired by this, and the WONCA 5-star family physician competition, TAHUD selects a 5 Star Family Physician Resident since 2018. This year the winner was Muzaffer Oncu Donmez. They also celebrated with virtual meetings, poster competitions, karaoke and many activities more! Discover more here.
5 Star Family Physician Resident - Turkish Association of Family Physicians (TAHUD)
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AROUND THE WORLD
WONCA NEWS
WONCA IBEROAMERICANA – CIMF On May 19, the Chilean Society of Family Medicine (Sociedad Chilena de Medicina Familiar SOCHIMEF) launched the Book "Applied Bioethics in Primary Care", authored by DrCarmen Nadal, partner of SOCHIMEF. The celebration featured Dr Paula Daza (Subsecretary of the Chilean Ministry of Health), Dr Mario Cruz Peñate (WHO/PAHO representative in Chile), Dr Rodolfo Armas (President of the Chilean Academy of Medicine) and Dr Jacqueline Ponzo. (President of the Ibero-American Confederation of Family Medicine). Read more about their activities here. Chilean Society of Family Medicine - Sociedad Chilena de Medicina Familiar Ibero-American Confederation of Family Medicine
Members of the Colombian Society of Family Medicine (Sociedad Colombiana de Medicina Familiar – SOCMEF) joined our campaign with various images through social media, as well as family doctors in Costa Rica, like Dr Marina Alemenas, the Vice-president Mexican Federation of Specialists and Residents in Family Medicine (Federación Mexicana de Especialistas y Residentes en MF), Dr Gad Gamed Zavala Cruz and members of the CIMF (Confederación Iberoamericana de Medicina Familiar - IberoAmerican Confederation of Family Medicine).
Dr Marina Alemenas - Costa Rica
Sociedad Colombiana de Medicina Familiar
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WONCA NEWS
AROUND THE WORLD
Venezuelan Society of Family Medicine
On their end, the Paraguayan Society of Family Medicine (Sociedad Paraguaya de Medicina Familiar) carried out multiple activities during the Family Doctor Week, from videos regarding the importance of the family doctor to a message from the Dean of the National University, and multiple communication efforts from the teaching assistants and all the community.
The Venezuelan Society of Family Medicine (Sociedad Venezolana De Medicina Familiar – SOVEMEFA) organised a “conversatorium”, a discussion session related to the four pillars of Building the Future with Family Doctors. Read all the details here (Spanish).
Paraguayan Society of Family Medicine
WONCA NORTH AMERICA On the occasion of World Family Doctor Day, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) created a video and shared it on their social medial channels, along with three different Facebook posts where the video was embedded.
American Academy of Family Physicians
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AROUND THE WORLD
WONCA NEWS
WONCA Regional President for North America, Dr Marvin Reid also shares the activities and efforts from Jamaica, where a special supplement on World Family Doctor Day was published.
WFDD Jamaica Highlights
WONCA SOUTH ASIA
Bangladesh Academy of Family Physicians
Meanwhile, the College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka held a Webinar on 16 May 2021, focusing on home management of Covid patients "Sharing the Caring of COVID19 Patients at home”. The webinar panellists were from local South Asian contexts. This virtual event was well-received, with around 500 participants from both Sri Lanka and other countries.
College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka
The Bangladesh Academy of Family Physicians (BAFP) and the Bangladesh Institute of Family Medicine and Research (BIFMR) celebrated ‘World Family Doctors Day on 28 May 2021 in two phases. According to Prof. Kanu Bala, the first phase involved a lecture session by Prof. Md. Mushtuq Husain, a renowned Epidemiologist of Bangladesh. During a session presided by Prof. Md. Falahuzzaman Khan, Prof. Md. Mushtuq Husain on COVID-19 Situation. The second phase included discussions with Prof. Kanu Bala, Prof. Md. Nurul Islam and Dr Md. Kabir Ahmed Khan regarding the importance of the World Family Doctor Day. This session was presided by Prof. Firoz Ahmed and coordinated by Dr Amir Ali Gazi.
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AROUND THE WORLD
WONCA NEWS
Despite not being member organization of WONCA, we appreciate the participation of Praava Health, who celebrated WFDD2021 con webinar series, talk panels and on-line live discussions.
We also thank Naga Vamshidhar Ratakonda, from Bengaluru Area, India, for the Poem: Family Doctor:
Family Doctor
Praava Health
WONCA YOUNG DOCTORS MOVEMENTS Our Young Doctors Movements joined the World Family Doctor Day Campaign with multiple messages and creative formats. For example, representatives of these movements created a joined TikTok . Watch the full video here.
Wholistic Health, Forever a Factor; Family Doctor, A Need of the Hour; To Answer the call, At Any Hour! Beyond Matters Of Health, A Friend in Many Quarters, Personal & Private;
Engage In Occassions, Emergencies Cared; Relationship in Vogue, Diseases don't Provoke! Find for All in Family, Fond of All in Family, Bond with All in Family, Family Doctor Smiley, Favourite of All Happily!
Attachment of, Long-term History; Appointment Hassle, Not an Issue At All! Bee-Line Lengths, Happily Surpassed; Awaiting Hours, Bypassed in Seconds; Treatments Done, At Special Discounts, With Quick Attention! Sweet Casual Talk, An Early Head Start; Casuality Ward, Not on Prescription Platter!
Young Doctors Movements
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AROUND THE WORLD
WONCA NEWS
Waynakay Ecuador shared messages regarding WFDD2021 on social media and sent a special communication in collaboration between EcuadorMexico-Colombia to a digital newspaper regarding the importance of Family Medicine during the pandemic and formal academic processes.
The Spice Route Movement of South Asia celebrated by launching their official website (http://woncaspiceroute.org) on the 19th of May 2021, with the patronage of WONCA South Asia Regional President D Raman Kumar. On their end, members of the Vasco da Gama Movement joined hands and shared their pictures on social media. They also created a collages with different images from their members. (See on page 8) The Spice Route Movement
Waynakay Ecuador
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SOCIAL MEDIA
W F D D I N S O C I A L
WONCA NEWS
M E D I A
World Family Doctor Day a had relevant presence on six social platforms, mainly Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Top hashtags #WorldFamilyDoctorDay and #WFDD2021 had a total reach of 8.1 million users.
WORLDFAMILYDOCTORDAY
3,744
8.3 K
6.8 M
8.3 K
mentions
interactions
reach
shares
3.2 K likes
WFDD2021
1,683 mentions
9.3 K interactions
CONTEXT OF MENTIONS
1.3 M reach
7.3 K shares
2K likes
*ALL PLATFORMS. SOURCE: BRANDMENTIONS
1,700 USERS OF WFDD FACEBOOK FRAME
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WONCA NEWS
WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY 2021 We want to thank you all for being a part of the World Family Doctor Day 2021. It was not possible to include in one single edition the countless expressions of support to all the Family Doctors and Primary Care teams around the world! Despite the adverse circumstances, the 2021 edition of World Family Doctor Day was one to remember. But this is not about one day. We will continue spreading the word. It’s necessary to support Primary Care and support health workforce to build a healthier future for all!
THANK YOU
wONCA REGIONS
WONCA NEWS
W O N C A R E G I O N S
WONCA AFRICA EDITORIALS
WONCA Africa President, Professor Shabir Moosa, writes these editorials to share a better understanding of WONCA Africa, some plans and achievements, and the growing relationship with World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHOAFRO). Read the WONCA Africa editorials here.
&
W O R K I N G
P A R T I E S
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I N T E R E S T
G R O U P S
RURAL PRACTICE 18TH WONCA RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
You can also join the webinar Lessons in Rural Proofing of Health Policies, Strategies, Plans and Programs, on Thursday, 15 July 2021. This Webinar is part of a WHO series on “tackling rural health inequities”, convened under the umbrella of World Health Day 2021 on “Health Equity”. It is organized by the WHO/HQ Gender, Equity and Human Rights Team, with external partners including WONCA’s Working Party on Rural Practice, OECD, and other agencies in the UN Inequalities Task Team (ITT) subgroup on rural poverty. The series will run from July 2021 to March 2022.
WP & SIG's
Yet again we are faced with Covid restricting our ability to meet face to face, the WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice brings you the 18th World Rural Health Conference, in collaboration with the WHO and their webinar series on Rural Health Equity.
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WONCA NEWS
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W O R K I N G
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I N T E R E S T
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RURAL PRACTICE MEET THE RURAL SEEDS AMBASSADORS 2021- 2023
Rural Seeds raises awareness and improves the guidance in training for rural practice for people in the early stages of their career development.
The network, mentored by the WONCA’s Working Party on Rural Practice (WWPRP) and the WONCA’s Young Doctor’s Movement, works to identify the rural healthcare needs in various regions and to understand what improvements can be made through the local and global rural community. In 2021, the first ambassadors of this fruitful network are completing the Rural Seeds team!
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MENTAL HEALTH Discover the new “Music and Mental Health Project”, an effort of the WONCA Working Party for Mental Health led by Alfredo de Oliveira Neto (Brazil), Arnab Bishnu Chowdhury (India) and Moisés Nunes (Brazil) that seeks to mitigate through music the psychosocial effects posed by the COVID19.
On June 26, the project presented three music and mental health experiences (Brazil, Australia and India) and the official launch of their music video "Tone of Mind".
MUSIC AND MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT
Alfredo de Oliveira Neto writes about the creation of this project. Read the full article here.
MUSIC AND MENTAL HEALTH
TONE OF MIND WORKING PARTY FOR MENTAL HEALTH - WONCA ALFREDO DE OLIVEIRA NETO
ARNAB BISHNU CHOWDHURY
BRAD KELLY
FAMILY PHYSICIAN, PROFESSOR AT FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO
COMPOSER, THERAPIST, TEACHER, 3RD GENERATION MUSICIAN
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE COORDINATOR
HARMONIA ENLOUQUECE “HARMONY GETS CRAZY BAND” RIO DE JANEIRO / BRAZIL
FOUNDER - ‘KNOW YOUR RHYTHM’ PONDICHERRY / INDIA
SPINIFEX / DESERT STARS BAND TJUNTJUNTJARA COMMUNITY / AUSTRALIA
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AGEING & HEALTH AGEING LINES: STORIES FROM CAREGIVERS AND ELDERLY PATIENTS. This is a space dedicated to caregivers and elderly patients, created with anonymous collaborations from the WONCA Special Interest Group on Ageing and Health. This section includes inspiring anecdotes for the simple purpose of adding value and quality to older patient’s lives.
(Contributed by the Family Medicine Specialists with Special Interest in Primary Care Geriatrics from Malaysia).
We have a mobile vaccination team comprises of Family Medicine Specialist, Medical Officers, Medical Assistants, Nurses, other Allied Health Personnel and Volunteers from the Non-Governmental Organization as well, who will go down to the community homes. Older persons (age 60 years old and above) and the community homes’ caretakers will be offered to receive the vaccination.
Talks on the importance of COVID-19 vaccination are also being delivered by the Family Medicine Specialist. Once older persons at the community homes have consented, they will be assessed using the Clinical Frailty Score. Subsequently, they will be given the COVID-19 vaccine and being observed after the vaccination for any adverse events. The date for the next vaccination is well arranged. The team is very committed and has been working dedicatedly. It is indeed heart-warming to see our older persons safe and well protected.
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The Primary Care team led by the Family Medicine Specialist in Malaysia has joined the call by the Ministry of Health in ensuring our older persons in the community homes are vaccinated as part of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Older persons especially those residing in community homes are very highrisk population with high mortality rate if infected with COVID-19. In order to achieve a good and quick coverage of vaccination, we are bringing the services nearer to the community. PAGE 29
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F E A T U R E D D O C T O R
ROCÍO GARCÍA-GUTIÉRREZ GÓMEZ
FEATURED DOCTOR
I wanted to be a doctor for as far as I can remember. I had the opportunity to do the most beautiful speciality in the world between 2013 and 2017 in an incredibly well-prepared health centre with an outstanding human team from which I learned great values and skills to face my work. I tried to make the most of those years by subspecialize in emergency medicine too. In Spain, family doctors have the possibility to work in other fields in addition to Primary Care (emergencies, palliative care...)
After residency, I started working in a health centre in Madrid city, but the lack of decent contracts edged me to work at the hospital emergencies department. However, I also work as a substitute in Primary Care with shorter contracts (up to two months). I do not want to miss the unique features of my speciality, such as longitudinality, patient followup, care for chronicity, family and community care, and holistic patient care.
WHAT WORK TO DO NOW? I am currently working in SUMMA-112, an out-of-hospital emergency service. I spend my shifts in an "ambulance" (rapid intervention vehicle -VIR- or mobile ICU), providing treatment to patients with critical problems in the province of Madrid. In addition, I am doing two shifts a month in the emergency department of a hospital in the Madrid region.
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WHAT OTHER RELEVANT ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN? I have been playing a very active role as part of the Vasco da Gama Movement (VdGM) since my second year of residence, organising our famous Madrid Conference Exchange in 2014. After that, I got named Regional Exchange Coordinator) in Madrid. Since the beginning, we tried to build a strong team and actively participate in conferences, forums and exchanges. It has been an exciting experience from which I have learned a lot. It also allowed me to meet amazing people (and friends). I leapt to the European level in September 2020 when I started in the Executive of VdGM in the Exchange Officer position. Also, since 2011 I have worked as a medical volunteer in the NGO Amigos de Calcutta in the Indian city of Calcutta, taking the reins of volunteering coordination since 2012 and becoming vice president from 2014 to 2019. Although I was not able to go to India last year due to the Covid19 pandemic, I am still engaged to the NGO as part of the executive board since June.
FEATURED DOCTOR
In recent years, I have also been part of "AP se mueve" (Primary Care is moving), a family doctor movement where we expose structural problems in family medicine in our region and seek solutions.
Last but not least, I am also part of the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC). I am also part of the WONCA Special Interest Group on Health Inequities, with multiples activities such as writing articles or giving talks and courses, both related to training and awareness. In the last years, we prepared two very successful online courses, one on international and traveller health and another on health inequities. I am currently coordinating the fourth edition of the online course on traveller health and preparing an extra online course related to migration and health.
WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS AT WORK AND IN PRIVATE?
My experience as a doctor in India has been one of the things I enjoyed the most in my life. It has turned me into who I am today, and I would like to continue with this work to fight social and health inequalities, also from my country. I love teamwork and multidisciplinarity. I believe that, by sharing experiences and leaving the comfort zone, we can give more of ourselves and think globally. The phrase of the Vasco da Gama Movement: "think globally, act locally", sums the way I like to work. The truth is that I am not looking for great projects in the future. I enjoy every moment and make the most of it. I hope to continue doing so in the coming years. From a personal point of view, I want to spend quality time with my family and enjoy the growth and learning of my two-year-old son. I hope to know how to instil in him values such as respect, empathy, kindness, willingness or mutual collaboration, along with the passion for reading, travelling and playing sports. I hope that he becomes a good person and I hope he knows how to enjoy the small details of life.
From a professional perspective, I would like to continue training and specializing in international health and health inequities.
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WONCA CIMF 7TH IBERO-AMERICAN CONGRESS VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
19-22
AUGUST 2021
WONCA CIMF 7TH IBERO-AMERICAN CONGRESS VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
22-27
NOVEMBER 2021
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NEW CHAIRPERSON WANTED WONCA WORKING PARTY ON EDUCATION The WONCA Working Party on Education seeks a new chairperson to be appointed at the World Council in November. It is an exciting opportunity to lead this vibrant and active group working with the seven Regional executive members to promote primary care education globally. Find the full details here.
WONCA UPDATES
XXII CHILEAN FAMILY MEDICINE CONFERENCE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY OF FAMILY AND GENERAL MEDICINE OF CHILE The Scientific Society of Family and General Medicine of Chile (Sociedad Chilena de Medicina Familiar) invites you to the XXII Chilean Family Medicine Conference, fully online (in Spanish), with the theme “Construyendo Salud en Sociedad” (Building health in Society). 30th September - 2th October 2021. Register here.
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ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL EDUCATION WARWICK UNIVERSITY Find out more about an amazing new Online Master of Science in Medical Education! An exciting collaboration between Warwick University, UK & iheed, Ireland -a specialist e-learning team. supported by members of the WONCA working party in Education and designed for busy clinicians. Find more information here.
HONG KONG PRIMARY CARE CONFERENCE 2021 HONG KONG COLLEGE OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians is delighted to invite you to the Hong Kong Primary Care Conference 2021, to be held online on 30 July – 1 August 2021 (Friday – Sunday). The 2021 theme is "Our Finest Hour: Stride through the Storm" to highlight the need for resilient and strong primary health care systems to safeguard the health of people and communities worldwide. Find more information and register here.
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REACH SUMMER SCHOOL 2021 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNICATION IN HEALTHCARE The International Association for Communication in Healthcare invites you to rEACH Summer School 2021, taking place on the 15, 16 & 17 September 2021. An inspiring blend of early-career and established researchers in the field will facilitate a exciting new online Summer School.
Deadline for applications: 16 July 2021. Find more information here.
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The rEACH Summer School offers a unique opportunity to 12 promising early-career researchers to showcase their research, interact with peers and benefit from the feedback of leading experts in the field of healthcare communication. Participants will be able to expand their international research network and lay the foundations for long-lasting collaborations with others in the field. Priority will be given to applicants who are PhD students or postdoctoral researchers.
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