World Medical Association postpones planned Assembly in Istanbul

The World Medical Association has decided to postpone holding its 2019 annual General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey because of security concerns. But it has reaffirmed its strong support for the Turkish Medical Association.

At their annual Assembly in Chicago, WMA delegates agreed to postpone indefinitely the planned meeting because of concerns over security threats in the city.

WMA President Dr. Yoshitake Yokokura said: ‘There is considerable doubt over whether we would be able to guarantee the safety of delegates attending the meeting. So, sadly we have decided that we have to postpone our visit.

‘The attacks by the Turkish Government on the country’s health service and the imprisonment and victimisation of physicians and academics that have taken place since July 2015 are something we cannot tolerate.

‘We will continue to condemn any practices that threaten the safety of physicians and the provision of heath care services.

‘We remain fully supportive of the achievements of the Turkish Medical Association in upholding democracy, fundamental rights and medical ethics in the country and we hope to be able to hold our Assembly in Turkey some time in the future’.