The World Medical Association has charged physicians to report any form of inappropriate working conditions and violence against them to the appropriate authorities and the National Medical Association.
The WMA gave the charge on Wednesday during the Annual Assembly of the Swedish Medical Association held in Sweden.
Addressing Swedish physicians during the annual assembly, the President of the WMA, Dr Osahon Enabulele, urged physicians to ensure their welfare, wellbeing and working conditions were given top priority even as they carry out their responsibilities.
Assessing the health system challenges faced in various parts of the world, Dr. Enabulele stated that the WMA would continue to advocate for the strengthening of health systems across the world.
In a press statement made available to our correspondent, Enabulele said, “The lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic shows that unless and until the healthcare systems are strengthened, physicians may not be able to provide the best of care to patients.
“So, it is incumbent on us to continuously charge governments all over the world to strengthen their health systems and provide enabling working conditions for physicians and other members of the health workforce.
“Tied to that is what we have seen across the world, increasing cases of violence against physicians. We’ve seen across the world a tendency by physicians to get discouraged, to lose confidence in the system as a result of the disabling working conditions they find themselves, as a result of the violence against them either by patients or patients’ relatives.
“This observations and experiences informed the recent revision of the international code of medical ethics by the WMA.
“I charge all of you to find time to go through the revised code, as it seeks to provide some solutions to some of the contending challenges that we all face in today’s world.
“The code appropriately obligates physicians to report cases of violence and acts of abuse against them, and also to report inappropriate working conditions.
“The code also obligates physicians to look after their well-being, health and abilities, and to seek care when necessary.”
According to the WMA boss, physicians across the world should stop working in inappropriate and indecent working conditions.
He also called for the encouragement of young doctors in the profession, many of whom were getting dissatisfied with the profession.
“A lot of young doctors feel discouraged and disappointed, but it is our responsibility to offer hope to all cadres of doctors in the profession, and that is what the WMA is committed to doing.
“I charge you today to please study the revised international code of medical ethics and the physician’s pledge, as they contain important solutions to the challenges confronting us,” he said.
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