WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIAlE DE LA SANTE
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC BUREAU RtGIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL
REGIONAL COMMIITEE Forty-fifth session Kuala Lumpur 19-23 September 1994
WPRlRC45/NGO/2
23 September 1994 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
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STATEMENT BY DR EDDIE T. CHAN REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WORLD ORGANIZATION OF NATIONAL COLLEGES, ACADEMIES AND ACADEMIC ASSOCIATIONS OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERSIFAMILY PHYSICIANS NEW HORIZONS IN HEALTH - THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE FAMILY DOCTOR
Mr Chairman, Dr S.T. Han, Regional Director, Distinguished Representatives, Ladies & Gentlemen, On behalf of all member countries of "The World Organization of Family Doctors" WONCA ASIA PACIFIC, I would like to congratulate Dr Han and his staff for producing this important document - New Horizons in Health - which highlights the problems related to health this this region will face as we approach the 21st contury. This vision takes into account the rapid changes that are occurring in our region which is economically the fastest growing part of the world. As one-third of the world population lives in this region, this document emphasizes the need to reconcile economic development with the preservation of a safe environment as a pre-condition for health promotion and health protection. A multisectoral and multi-disciplinary approach is essential to deal holistically with issues related to the preparation for life, protection of life and quality of life. Physicians in all disciplines have a reJponsibility to support this important concept. Physicians in primary health care, particularly, should take an active role in achieving this vision of the 21st century. In accomplishing these targets, we need to train a new generation of physicians who will enthusiastically undertake the following tasks:
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To work in communities that need them most, especially in rural areas. To work as the leader of the primary health care team, responsible for fully utilizing the
skills and expertise of every member of the team. 3. 4. To work with the community to serve the expressed needs and priorities of that community. To manifest the preventive approach in the practice of medicine, aiming at the promotion and
protection of health. This approach respects the patient's responsibility for his or her own health and aims to provide the individual and community with information and education to foster behaviours that are favourable to good health. 5. To practise cost-effective medicine and work within the limits and available resources of the
community. If we are to create a new generation of health workers capable of fulfilling these functions, we will need new programmes and new approaches in training them. A new type of primary health care doctor or FAMILY DOCTOR who are imbued with this new vision of health is needed. Implicit in this approach is the need for the careful preparation of the physician and the health care team for these new roles. It also implies adequate rewards and incentives for these health workers.
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PROPOSALS It is proposed to the Western Pacific Region to consider collaboration in programmes to train a new generation of primary health care doctors and other members of the health care team. These primary care doctors would incorporate the best ideas and concepts emerging from the developed countries as exemplified by the practice of family medicine of the United States of America; general practice in the United Kingdom; and medicine generale in Europe. Each member country will have its own training programme to suit its own needs and culture, but the region should collaborate in the training of teachers in primary care. Departments of General Practice/Family Medicine in universities already exist in the Western Pacific Region in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, and Singapore. A few of them may be designated as WHO collaborating centres for training of Primary Care Physicians and the Health Care Team. -
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CONCLUSION The availability of well-trained family doctors (general practitioners/family physicians) as leading members of the primary health care team in the community contributes greatly to efficient primary health care and is cost-effective in the delivery of the highest affordable and attainable standards of health. Essential to achieving this ideal are policies that involve greater emphasis on primary health care in medical schools, creating better opportunities for post-graduate training and research in primary health care, and providing greater incentives for new graduates to choose a career in this discipline.
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The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), which is an NGO in official relations with WHO, stands ready to work with WHO in the Western Pacific Region to achieve the vision presented in this important document - New Horizons in Health. We are in a position to contribute to the training of physicians in Primary Health Care and would Ikie to offer this as an area of collaboration within this region.
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