As a member association of the Medical Women’s International Association, AMWA leaders participated in the 76th Assembly of the World Health Organization (May 21-30) and were observers in the World Health Organization Executive Committee Meeting (May 31-June 1).
AMWA Executive Director Dr. Eliza Chin (L) and MWIA President Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi (R) with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Association
The AMWA Global Health Lead, Dr. Padmini Murthy represented AMWA as part of the Women in Global Health and Global Health Council delegation. On May 24, Dr. Murthy moderated a high-level panel on Gender Equity in the Health Workforce for Health Systems Strengthening, a program hosted by the Government of France and Women in Global Health, in collaboration with the Government of Liberia and the Government of Norway, under the Gender Equal Health and Care Workforce Initiative.
MWIA submitted two statements which were read by Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi during the relevant sessions of the WHA. The first statement addressed gender-related differences in health and the importance of universal health coverage. The second statement was authored by Dr. Connie Newman, addressing cardiovascular disease in women and the need to screen women for risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes, both in clinical primary care practice and public health programs. Dr. Eleanor also Nwadinobi participated in a high-level panel on ending bullying and harassment at work.
Dr. Murthy also moderated a high-level panel on May 24 with panelists Loyce Pace (Assistant Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Global Affairs HHS), H. E. Fernando Olivera (Mexico DPR to UN Geneva), Dr. Amelia Latu (WHO Chief Nursing Officer), Dr. Catherine Loftus (Permanent Secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services), Honorable Ms. Ana E. Haddad (Vice Minister for Information and Digital Health of Brazil), Mr Frédéric Depretis (Deputy Director for Human Affairs French Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Dr. Roopa Dhatt Executive Director Women in Global Health, Ms. Catherine Menganyi (Chapter Leader WGH Kenya), and Dr. Rana Hajjwah (WHO EMRO).
The MWIA delegation had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Nedret Emiroglu, Director of Country Readiness Strengthening and WHO Emergency Preparedness. Discussion points included overall country readiness for health emergencies, including clinical management, infection control, emergency medical teams, vulnerable populations (including displaced refugees), community readiness and resilience, and opportunities for civil society engagement. MWIA and AMWA leaders discussed challenges during the recent pandemic with PPE fit and the importance of global cooperation. AMWA leaders also shared information about their One World, One War: Women Physicians Against COVID-19 webinar series which provided a forum for sharing information across borders about pandemic response, including prevention, management, and therapeutics.
The MWIA delegation included:
- Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi – MWIA President
- Dr. Mariam Jashi – MWIA Secretary General
- Dr. Amany Asfour – MWIA President-elect
- Dr. Eliza Chin – MWIA Treasurer and AMWA Executive Director
- Dr. Connie Newman – MWIA Vice-President North America, AMWA Past President
- Dr. Elizabeth Lichtenstein – MWIA Vice-President Central Europe
The MWIA Officers also attended the 153rd WHO Executive Committee session.
AMWA members enjoy dual membership in MWIA and are encouraged to participate in these global opportunities.
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- Dr. Eliza Chin (L) and Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi (R)
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- Dr. Padmini Murthy (L) with Michele J. Sison, U.S. Assist. Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, and Nicole Wu, Director of TECO Geneva
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- Dr. Murthy met with Dr J. Suveda the advisor on Health to the PM of Slovakia
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- Dr. Padmini Murthy participates in the Walk the Talk event on May 21
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- Dr. Nwadinobi, Dr. Lichtenstein, and Dr. Chin sign Equity Pledge
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- Dr. Connie Newman (L) and Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi (R)
