Section 1 - Constituent Members
National Associations of Physicians (sometimes referred to herein as National Medical Associations) shall be eligible for Constituent membership in the Association, provided that each such National Medical Association meets the following criteria:

1. Such association is broadly representative of the physicians of the country by virtue of its membership.
   
   
2. Such association is not subject to or controlled by any office or agency of government.
   
   
3. Such association limits its voting membership to physicians and medical students.
   
   
   1. For purposes of this section a physician is defined as one who has received a contemporary education in medicine and who holds a diploma or a degree in medicine from an educational institution recognized by the National Medical Association of his country, and who is licensed to practice medicine in his country.
   2. A National Medical Association that was a constituent member of the Association in 1978 and during that year included dentists among their voting members shall not be disqualified from membership in the Association by vitue of sub-paragraph C) of Section 1.
   3. A National Medical Association that includes dentists in its membership shall not be disqualified from membership in the Association, provided that:
      1. There is no separate National Association for dentists within the country, and
      2. Dentists-Members of the National Medical Association shall not have the right to vote on matters affecting the World Medical Association or on matters of policy within the National Medical Association which may come before the World Medical Association.
         
         
4. Only one National Medical Association from each country shall be eligible for membership, provided that a medical association may remain a member under the following conditions:
   
   
   1. If a separate customs territory exists within a country and the regulatory authority for the customs territory exercises exclusive legal and regulatory authority over the licensing and credentialing of physicians practicing within the territorial limits of the customs territory, and
   2. The physicians in the customs territory are represented by a medical association which has been a Constituent member of the World Medical Association for seven years or more, and
   3. The medical association represents and continues to represent physicians of the customs territory only, and
   4. The medical association meets and continues to meet the criteria specified in this Section 1.

The term "country" throughout these Bylaws shall mean "customs territory" for members qualifying under these conditions.

Section 2 - Other Classifications of Membership
Upon recommendation of the Council, the Assembly may establish such other classifications of membership as may be deemed to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Association. The rights and privileges as well as the dues and subscriptions for such other classifications of membership shall be established by the Assembly pursuant to the recommendation of the Council.

Section 3 - Application for Membership
Applications for all classes of membership shall be made in writing to the Council. After appropriate study and investigation, the Council shall make a recommendation to the Assembly. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Assembly present and voting shall be necessary to elect to membership in the Association.

Section 4 - Obligations of Constituent Members
In addition to any other duties or obligations provided for in these Bylaws, each constituent member association shall:

1. Do all in its power to promote a knowledge of, and an active interest in, the objectives and work of the Association;
   
   
2. Reply to all inquiries and questionnaires from the Council as quickly as possible or within the time limit specified by the Council; and
   
   
3. Keep the Council informed of any events or developments in its country of interest to the Association.

Section 5 - Discipline
On receipt of a complaint from a Member-association that the conduct or policy of a Member-association is detrimental to the honour and interests of the medical profession, the Association or another Member-association, or is calculated to bring the profession into disrepute the Council shall submit it to the Member-association concerned for an explanation or observations. The complaint and the reply received shall be considered at the next meeting of the Council at which a hearing shall be given to the complainant or a representative and to a representative of the Member-association of whose conduct or policy complaint is made. At least four months' notice shall be given to each of the parties concerned of the time and place of the meeting of the Council when the matter is to be considered. The proceedings of the meeting, however, shall not be invalidated by the absence of a representative of the defendant association, if due notice has been given. After due consideration of all the facts the Council shall make a report to the Assembly with a recommendation if in the opinion of the Council disciplinary action shall be taken. If the Assembly approves the report of the Council, it may impose disciplinary action on the Member-association, but in no event shall such disciplinary action be greater than the penalty recommended by the Council in its report to the Assembly.

Section 6 - Termination of membership

1. The Council, after notice to the NMA concerned, may, at any time, advise the Assembly that a Constituent member no longer meets the criteria established in the bylaws and that such membership should be revoked. The Council shall specify the basis for its contention with particularity. The Assembly may either accept or reject the Council's advice.
   
   
   1. If the Assembly rejects the Council's advice, the matter is terminated and the National Medical Association in question shall retain its constituent membership. However, no such rejection by the Assembly shall constitute a bar to further advice from the Council at a later date.
   2. If the Assembly accepts the Council's advice, it shall direct the National Medical Association in question to respond to the specific bases of the Council's contention at the next meeting of the Assembly, at which time the Assembly will hear such evidence and argument as it deems appropriate, and shall then determine by vote of the Assembly whether the National Medical Association meets the criteria for constituent membership or not. In no event shall membership be terminated prior to the following December 31.
      
      
2. In the event that a constituent member has not paid its dues for two consecutive calendar years, the Secretary General shall formally notify such constituent member in writing that its membership will be automatically terminated unless payment is received within 90 days. The Council, at its first meeting each year, shall be informed of those constituent members that have been automatically terminated for failure to pay dues for two consecutive calendar years.

I AGREE WITH THESE BYLAWS AND WISH TO PROCEED WITH THE APPLICATION