CMA

Commownealth Medical Association

ABOUT US

The Commonwealth Medical Association is a conglomeration of National Medical Associations of Commonwealth Countries. We have 53 commonwealth countries and 48 are members of CMA. CMA is a registered body in London UK and functioning through 6 regions with Regional Vice Presidents. CMA takes stock of the Health situation of its member countries from time to time and empowers the National Medical Associations to tackle the Health Challenges of their countires by way of planning services, knowledge updating and cooperating with Commonwealth Health Ministers in the programmes of United Nations. CMA is working closely with Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Foundation & WHO.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Commonwealth Medical Association is a non-governmental organization whose main aim and objectives is to assist and strengthen the capacities of national medical association of countries within the Commonwealth to improve the health and wellbeing of their communities by:

• Providing technical advice and co-operation to national medical associations in developing counties;
• Enabling national medical associations to participate and co-operate with other appropriate organizations and among themselves in projects designed to improve the health and welfare of their communities;
• Assisting national medical associations to formulate and to enforce principles of medical ethics with special reference to the protection of human rights;
• Co-operating with national medical associations in the provision, where appropriate, of continuing professional development, including distance learning for doctors isolated in small island areas and other deprived conditions.
• Communicating with member associations regularly on news and information about developments in the field of health with special reference to the situation in developing countries of the Commonwealth.
• Co-operating with the work of the Commonwealth Health Ministers and with relevant programmes of the United Nations.
• Establishing a Trust and/or such appropriate body for the purpose of enhancing the goals and objectives set out above;

OBJECTIVES 2007-2010 

ADVOCACY

• Infection free: HIV, AIDS, TB & Malaria
• Patient Safety
• Pre Hospital Trauma & Emergency Systems
• Health are Human Resources self sufficiency
• Alcohol Policy and Health Based
• Life Style Disease (NCD)
• E-Health

IMPLEMENTATION

• Sensitation Regional Workshops
• Monitoring & Data in NMAs
• Through Projects

EDUCATION

Strengthen Primary Care Physicians through distant learning courses (E Learning) Professional Exchange Programmes

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Commonwealth is a good mix of Developed countries, undeveloped countries & developing countries. Common Herbage of commonwealth countries is the English language. Amongst the millennium development goals are the elimination of poverty in the world and improved access to quality health care to the millions of people living in the developing countries. Unfortunately these efforts are also greatly hampered by the HIV epidemic which affects greatly sub Saharan Africa, which includes a significant number of Commonwealth countries. The goals and projects of the Commonwealth Medical Association must be viewed in this perspective where CMA in conjunction with national medical associations may give a notable contribution to these cause.

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The CMA aims to assist its regional grouping to identity region specific priorities for workshop/conference to adopt specific interventions as a way of enhancing the achievement of the goals. The areas of Maternal Mortality, Child Survival, HIV/AIDS and Gender will be specifically targeted.

PATIENT SAFETY

A 3 days sensitization workshop for representatives of Commonwealth National Medical Association was organized in Malta in February 22nd & 23rd 2007. The recommendations have been submitted to Commonwealth Secretariat. The sensitization will continue in other regions of CMA.

PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGE

A program where medical practitioners will be facilitated to spend a period of 4 to 6 weeks in a Commonwealth country other than their own, will be set up.

Doctors from the developing countries will be given opportunities to experience different health care systems and acquire new knowledge and experience which would be of benefit on return to their home country. Likewise doctors from the developed countries will be helped to visit a developing country. This should enrich their individual perspective and also possibly and also possibly result in transfer of skills to the host country. This will also improve the understanding of cultural diversity and enrich the individual's perspective within the Commonwealth. It is planned that this exchange will be co-ordinate from the CMA secretariat; however national medical associations should be able to help in selecting the applicants, while host countries will help in finding positions and facilitating the bureaucratic process.. Financial support to the participants will be dependent on the ability to raise funds. The area of treatment of HIV, Malaria and TB will be given priority in line with CHOGM policies.

E-HEALTH

With the explosion of IT Medical profession con not avoid E-Health to link the Health Administratiors, Health Providers & Health consumers. A system for Developing Countries is developed to be implemented through NMAS. A Scientific workshop is being planned in south East Asian Region.

Visit the website for further information www.commonwealthmedics.org